Obituary of Kenneth McKeen
A Memorial Service for Kenneth McKeen, age 82, of Spirit Lake will be held on Monday, March 4, 2024 at 11:00am at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 10:00-11:00am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to Parkinson's Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org/) or to the Iowa DNR Fish & Wildlife Trust Fund (New Donation - Donations (iowadnr.gov).
Kenneth “Kenny” Merton McKeen, the son of Merton and Cora (Borecky) McKeen, was born on April 17, 1941, in Carroll, Iowa.
Kenny grew up in rural Sac City, Iowa until the 4th grade when the family moved to Canby, Minnesota. He graduated from Canby High School in 1959, and in the same year, joined the Navy and graduated boot camp in San Diego, California. He served on the ship DDR-784-USS McKean until he was honorably discharged in 1961. He returned to work as a foreman on road construction for five years, based out of Carroll, Iowa.
He met and married Betty (Craigmile) on March 6, 1966. They moved from Carroll to Spirit Lake, Iowa in 1968 where Kenny was employed as a city carrier for the U.S. Post Office until he retired in 1998. Kenny also served and was an active member of his community; having served on the Fire Department for 17 years, enjoyed participating in the Spirit Lake Football Program while on the chain gang, and donated blood to the Red Cross for 21 years.
He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, hunting, fishing, and watching the Minnesota Twins and Iowa Hawkeyes. He (and his sense of humor) is loved and will be deeply missed.
Kenny passed away on February 20, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters. He is survived by his wife, Betty; three children: Chad (Melissa), Craig (Isbely), and Cory; four grandchildren: Stephanie, Andrew, Cassie, and Sullie; brothers, Robert McKeen and Marlyn (Connie) McKeen; sister, Mary (Rex) Birt; as well as nieces and nephews.
