Cover photo for Donald "Red" Kenkel's Obituary
Donald "Red" Kenkel Profile Photo
1927 Donald 2020

Donald "Red" Kenkel

October 12, 1927 — January 5, 2020

Woodbine

Donald Charles “Red” Kenkel was born October 12, 1927, to Bernard Kenkel and Caroline (Mumm) Kenkel in Dunlap, Iowa. Red grew up in Dunlap and attended St. Joseph Catholic School. When he was in the eighth grade the Kenkel family moved to Woodbine. He graduated from Woodbine High School in 1945. The remainder of his life he lived in Woodbine.

Red was united in marriage to Arlene Brookhouser on August 3, 1957. To this union two children were born, Donnell and Nathan.

Red passed away on January 5, 2020, at Unity Point Health Center having the attained the age of 92 years.

Red’s life work was in the grain industry. He began working for E.A. Milligan and Sons elevator in Woodbine in 1956. In 1966, he purchased the elevator then owned and operated the expanding complex over the years, retiring in 1999, nearly 45 years later. While Red retired from the business, his ties to his friends and farmers, grain merchandising and following the markets never stopped.

Red was baptized at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dunlap, Iowa, in 1927. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Woodbine, Iowa, since 1941. He served on the Parish Council a number of times.

Red was very active in the Woodbine business community including Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Town Council, Library Board, Iowa Western Community College, Iowa Grain and Feed Director. His most cherished office was as Chairman of the Board of Woodbine Municipal Utilities which he served for over 30 years. In May 2016, he received the Missouri River Energy Services Community Leader Award in recognition of his years of service to the Woodbine Municipal Light and Power and the City of Woodbine, a member of Missouri River Energy Services.

Red was an avid reader, loved to travel, was dedicated to community service and was devoted to his family, especially his grandchildren and his faith.

Red was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Arlene; granddaughter, Anna Marie Kenkel; and siblings and siblings-in-law, Gerald (Fern) Kenkel, Leo (Monica) Kenkel, Mary Ann Kenkel, Bernie Kenkel, Pauline (Jim) Kaster, Ed Kenkel, Mike Calder, Werner Doberenz, John Pugsley; nephews, John and Terry Kenkel. He is survived by his daughter, Donnell (Mark) Heistand of Parker, Colorado; son, Nathan (Michelle) Kenkel of Storm Lake, Iowa; grandchildren, Madeline, Adrian and Jarred Heistand and Ethan, Emma and Grace Kenkel; sister, Marge Calder; sisters-in-law, Lavonne Stenzel, Shirley Doberenz, and Lee Ann Kenkel; and many other relatives and friends.

~Memorials may be directed to Sacred Heart Catholic Church~

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald "Red" Kenkel, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, January 9, 2020

4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine

501 Normal St, Woodbine, IA 51579

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Family will receive friends

Thursday, January 9, 2020

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine

501 Normal St, Woodbine, IA 51579

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Prayer Service

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Starts at 7:00 pm (Central time)

Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine

501 Normal St, Woodbine, IA 51579

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Mass of Christian Burial

Friday, January 10, 2020

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

33 7th St, Woodbine, IA 51579

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 25

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree