Kenneth E. Kriens

Kenneth E. Kriens, 88, Thornton, died January 25, 2016 at Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.

Services were held January 30, 2016 at the Thornton United Methodist Church in Thornton. Burial with military honors was in the Immanuel Reformed Church Cemetery east of Belmond.

Kenneth Earl was born May 23, 1927 to John and Minnie (Meints) Kriens in rural Belmond. He attended school in Belmond prior to serving in the United States Army in France during World War II.

On February 11, 1950 he was united in marriage to Florence Clark. To this union three daughters were born: Kristine, Koleen, and Karen. The family made its home in the Thornton area.

Kenneth worked for 33 years with Central Telephone Company (now Frontier) in Belmond. He served as chief fireman on the Thornton Fire Department and was active in the United Methodist Church. After retirement he enjoyed spending time hunting with his grandsons, watching their basketball and football games, and throwing a ball with them. He liked tinkering with odds and ends, working in the garden, playing marbles and card games with family and friends, watching Hee Haw, and listening to classic country and gospel music.

He was preceded in death by his sisters Dorothy and Phyllis; and four brothers-in-law.

Kenneth survivors include his wife Florence; daughters Kristine (Keith) Pals, Koleen (Dennis) Black and Karen (Jim) Ries, all of Thornton; grandchildren Amy Titler, Annette Wynja, Brian (Sarah) Pals, Dean (Stefanie) Black, Nicholas (Megan) Ries, and Andrew (Anne) Ries; 11 great-grandchildren; brother Richard (Linda) Kriens; sisters Wilhelmine Vestweber and Joan Clark; honorary daughter Donna; and good phone friend Carl.