Born Aug 8, 1935 to Ira Wilson Ikenberry and Sylvia Louise (Mason) Ikenberry, Kenneth spent his childhood in the family home at Baldwin, Ks, with his 4 siblings.
Kenneth (Kenny) married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte Lorraine (Dillon) Ikenberry, on May 28, 1954. They celebrated 68 years of marriage & it was clear to all who knew them, that she was the love of his life, as he was hers.
Kenny was always active and played many sports during his life. He played football & basketball in school, baseball as a young man after marriage and enjoyed fishing as his family grew. He became an enthusiastic golfer in his mid-life and continued till his health began to fail.
Ken worked many jobs throughout his full life. Construction in his first working years, where he took part in the building of Allen Fieldhouse. He worked at Stoneback’s Appliance, and later at Rueter Organ Company for several years. He finished his full-time working career when he retired from Kresgee/Aeroquip, in a 6mo assignment in Arkansas in 1991, at age 55. After retirement he continued to work part-time at Alvamar Golf Course, both mowing and doing maintenance. He loved being outdoors and this allowed him to keep active, earn money, and make his golf passion more affordable. Ken and Charlotte loved square dancing, socializing and spending time with family. Ken was a volunteer at LMH for several years.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years Charlotte Lorraine (Dillon) Ikenberry, three daughters, Susan (Robert) Priest, Cynthia (Brian) Cruse & Patricia Ikenberry, and five grandchildren, Kenneth Priest, Kerry (Colton) Mattson, Cole (Heather White) Cruse, Calee (Eric) Yowell, & Loretta Ikenberry. He was also a great-grandfather to four; Aubree Penfold & Harper Mattson, Madelynn Kellogg, Sorrel Weil and an eagerly anticipated sibling for Sorrel in early 2023. He has numerous nieces and nephews who he enjoyed so much and adopted as they lost parents of their own.
Kenneth was a wonderful, loving husband and father. His guidance was sought many times over the years on matters large and small and he always offered his help to family and friends for any project. He was a very artistic person and joined a woodcarving club later in life, where he created many wonderful woodcarvings, that his family cherish. Most loved were the old fashioned Santas that will certainly pass down in our family throughout generations to come.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Ira & Sylvia, his siblings, Helen (Selmer) Torkleson, Dorothy (Arvin) Powell, Clifford (Dora Ann) Ikenberry, in-laws Thomas & Rosa Dillon, all of Charlotte’s siblings, and his oldest grandson, Kenneth Robert Priest, as well as many beloved friends who have passed before him.
Friends may attend a visitation held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home from 6 pm to 8 pm Thursday, Nov 17th, where the family will receive them.
The family suggests memorial contributions to LMH Health Cancer Center Expansion, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
To all family, We are so sorry for your loss.
Charlotte-
Teresa and I were so sad to learn yesterday of Kenny’s passing. Had we known, we would have been at his memorial on Thursday evening.
So many of my childhood memories are of you and Kenny coming over on a Saturday night to go to dinner with mother and Dad. I loved going to watch the “Barn Dancers” and see you all square dance. I’m also lucky enough to have several of the special wood carved Santa’s that Kenny made for mother. This year when I put them out, they’ll mean even more.
Sending you my love and deepest sympathy on the loss of Kenny.
Kathy Ledom
I was so very sorry to hear about Kenny’s passing and wish so many positive thoughts to Charlotte and the family. I know he will truly be missed by so many. Our network of family and friends goes way back to when I was pretty young and my parents did so many activities with Kenny and Charlotte, even my kids have connections with the grandkids. It’s a small world in this community and we have all lost a great one! I will cherish Kenny’s ready smile and good humor and send prayers and hugs to all of you, Michele (Schurer) Johnson
Dear Charlotte, Cindy, and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing. He was such a fun guy, and I know you have many happy memories. You are all in my thoughts.
Charlotte, my thoughts are with you at this time. Patty.
We are so sorry for your loss. May the love of family and friends help comfort you at this difficult time. Larry and Sheryl Saathoff
Charlotte and family. So sorry to hear about your loss. It is so hard to loose. one we loved so much.
My prayers are with Kenny’s family, He was a great guy and fun to golf with. I worked with Kenny at Alvamar for several years and he was always ready to help out if I ran into something that I was unsure of and always ready for a round of golf.
Cindy sorry for your loss. Your dad was a real nice guy.
Charlotte and I worked together at the Flower Shoppe on Massachusetts Street for many years. Kenny was a wonderful man and I know everyone will miss him dearly. God bless you all!
A true light has been dimmed on earth. Kenny brought positive light wherever he was. He was the kind of person that made you feel like a million bucks after he was done with you, brief conversation or in-depth. My heart breaks for Charlotte, the girls and ALL of his family and friends, which we know is many. Everyone was a friend to Kenny, he made this earth a better place each and everyday!
My sincere condolences to Kenny’s family. I worked with him for 15 years at Aeroquip and he was an amazing man. He always brought a smile to my face whenever I would see him. One of my greatest regrets is that after returning to Lawrence after many years absence I did not visit him. I still have the carved Christmas block ornament that he gave me over 30 years ago and would think of him as I would put it on my tree every year. He was a very talented and good man and was very respected at Aeroquip by all. May wonderful memories of him sustain the family in the days and years to come. God Bless you all!
Kenny was a dear, dear man. He was one of my favorites at Aeroquip. Blessings to the family.