Kenneth M. Powell

KENNETH M. POWELL was born on February 4, 1923 to Frank and Alice (Blood) Powell in Grasston, Minnesota. At a young age the family lived various places before settling in Brandon, South Dakota. Kenny received his education at various schools and graduated from Brandon High School.

On February 18, 1943, Kenny was drafted into the United States Army and served during World War II. He recorded living through and surviving an overwhelming attack on their 2nd Battalion forces. The American troops were outnumbered six to one during an attempted breakthrough by German forces on New Year’s Eve in 1944. The battle lasted all night with thousands of casualties as a result. At one point Kenny remembered how it was necessary to call in heavy artillery shells right over their own troops in order to stop the advance. Their Battalion later received Presidential recognition for holding the line and foiling the attempted breakthrough. Kenny was proud of his service to our country and was honorably discharged on November 20, 1945 with a Tech-5 rank.

On May 10, 1944, Kenny was united in marriage to Cora Hoiland at her parents’ farm near Garretson, South Dakota. Following his return home from military service the couple resided in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Kenny worked various jobs over the years and was employed by John Morrel & Company, Midwest Beach at Sioux Falls, and Fenn’s Candy Company. He was also in musical instrument sales and an insurance agent.

One of his proudest accomplishments was earning his college education. Even with great physical pain, as he had over thirty years of several operations with his disabilities from childhood and the war, he continued to pursue his college education along with working. He enrolled in courses at or through Augustana College, Denver University, University of South Dakota at Vermillion, Sioux Falls College, Pepperdine College in California, and the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, and obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics. Following his education, he enjoyed working as a teacher from 1954 to 1973.

The couple spent time residing and working in Santa Ana, California, and Omaha, Nebraska, before eventually living 17 years in Kanaranzi, Minnesota. Kenny worked with the United States Postal Service as a postmaster in southwest Minnesota from 1973 to 1998. He spent most of his years working as postmaster in Kanaranzi and later Steen, Minnesota. Kenny officially retired on October 1, 1998 and continued to enjoy his life with his best friend and wife, Cora.

He and Cora experienced a wonderful and beautiful life together. They worked hard together, enjoyed their life together, and took necessary and vital care of each other for over 56 years. On February 13, 2001, the love of Kenny’s life preceded him in death. He continued to reside in Luverne with the help of his nephews, nieces and wonderful neighbors. On July 11, 2011 he moved to the Helping Hands Assisted Living facility in Brandon, where on Thursday, September 22, 2011 Kenny died peacefully with family at his side at the age of 88 years, 7 months and 18 days.

Kenny was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. He was also a member of the Elks, life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and life member of the Disabled American Veterans. Kenny enjoyed playing “lead instruments” in eight different bands over a period of 40 years and also created and recorded five cassette albums. He also enjoyed astronomy and flying search missions for the Civil Air Patrol. Most of all, Kenny loved time spent with his wife, Cora, and enjoyed the scenic travel they shared throughout life together.

Kenny is survived by his six siblings, Doris Hoiland of Brandon, Phyllis Mehus of Sioux Falls, Audrey Nelson and her husband Syd of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Darlene Reit of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, Merle Powell and his wife Connie of Sioux Falls, and Artis Hoiland of Sioux Falls; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cora; parents; and brother, Curtis Powell.

If you were to ask Kenny, “How would you say goodbye?” he would answer: “All should live a clean respectable life. We are only here for a very short time – compared to our next life. For to see the Lord’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness is to gain eternal life in the Heavenly Kingdom. Do not be so self-centered, but help each other as much as you can. This will give you pleasure and will elevate good feelings and happiness within yourself. It will result in some of the good feelings you are looking for in this life.”