Kenneth Elwynn Bowen, 82, rural Edgerton, died Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at his home.
A funeral service was Monday, March 8, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial followed at Memory Gardens Cemetery near Luverne.
Kenneth Bowen was born on April 27, 1938, to Clinton and Matilda (Smook) Bowen in Luverne. He graduated from Magnolia High School in Magnolia in 1956. 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.
On August 14, 1960, Ken married 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. He 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 health issues he retired in 2019.
Ken was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. He loved bowling and was on several leagues in Edgerton over the years. Ken bowled a 300 game and attended regional and national bowling tournaments. He also played in a pool league, enjoyed pinochle, solving Sudoku and crossword puzzles, and reading. He cherished coffee in the morning and a beer in the afternoon with his friends, and he loved his family.
He is survived by his wife, Ardyth; a son, Bradley (Judy) Bowen of Pipestone; two step-grandchildren, Heather Hiniker of Pipestone and Holly (Dan) Vos of Hendricks; seven step-great-grandchildren; 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.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Cleon Bowen; and a brother, Bryce Bowen.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
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