Kenneth E. Bowen

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Kenneth Elwynn Bowen was born on April 27, 1938 to Clinton and Matilda (Smook) Bowen in Luverne, Minnesota. In his youth, Ken loved to go fishing and hunting. He grew up with his grandpa’s work horses, and ponies which they would ride. He also helped with the farm work. During his school years, he was involved in school plays and played basketball. In 1956, Ken graduated from Magnolia High School in Magnolia, Minnesota. He worked as a carry out/delivery boy at the Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store from 1956 to 1958 and as a welder for A.R. Wood Manufacturing in Luverne from 1958 to 1962. He was baptized on July 17, 1960 at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne and on August 14, 1960, Ken was united in marriage to Ardyth Hansen at Grace Lutheran Church. In 1960, he enlisted in the Army National Guard and served for six years. From 1962 until 1968, Ken worked for K & R in Canton, South Dakota as a welder. Shortly after his honorable discharge from the National Guard, Ken began his career of farming near Edgerton, Minnesota. Ken loved farming and with his welding experience, he was able to weld at home and make many repairs on his own farm equipment. In the winter months, he worked part-time at W & W Welding in Luverne. Due to his health he retired in 2019. On Tuesday, March 2, 2021 Ken died at his home at the age of 82 years, ten months and five days.

Ken was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. He loved bowling and was on several leagues in Edgerton over the years; both men’s and couples leagues. Ken bowled a 300 game and attended regional and national bowling tournaments. Ken also shot in a pool league, enjoyed playing pinochle, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, and reading. He was known to socialize by going out for coffee in the morning and a beer in the afternoon. Ken loved his friends, but even more, he loved his family.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ardyth; son, Bradley (Judy) Bowen of Pipestone; two step-grandchildren, Heather Hiniker of Pipestone, Minnesota and Holly (Dan) Vos of Hendricks, Minnesota; seven step-great-grandchildren, Brody, Lawson, and Walker Hiniker, and Gracie, Cash, June, and Hank Vos; and sisters, Sandra Jederberg of Sheldon, Iowa, Judith Berkhof of Mitchell, South Dakota, Joyce Hawes of Sibley, Iowa, and Dianna (Larry) Brandenburg of Lake Crystal, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton and Matilda; son, Cleon Bowen; brother, Bryce Bowen; brothers-in-law, Ed Jederberg, Henry VanderStreek, Robert Berkhof, and Milton Hawes; parents-in-law, Carl and Olga Hansen; sister-in-law, Loretta Hansen, brother-in-law, Larry Boelman; and nephews, Troy and David Boelman.