Obituary: Kenneth "Kennie" Wood

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In memory of

Kenneth "Kennie" Wood

of Kearney, Nebraska, formerly of Wall, South Dakota, died on Monday, April 2, 2012 at Mt. Carmel Nursing Home in Kearney, Nebraska at the age of 88

Kenneth Clark Wood was born May 29, 1923, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. That year, his parents, Waldon Clark Wood and Olive Blanche (Adams) Wood, moved Kennie and his older sister, Maxine, north of Quinn, SD, to the place Waldon's parents (Wesley Clark Wood and Elizabeth Adelia (Herbert) Wood) had homesteaded in 1906 (now the NW corner of Quinn Road and Wolf Road). The family later moved to the Winkler place and built a home there in 1928. Kennie grew up there and spent his elementary years at the Lake Hill country school, located about a half mile from the Wood family ranch. He graduated from Quinn High School in 1941.
Kennie married the love of his life, Aletha Maye Bryan (a 1941 graduate of Wall High School) on December 5, 1942, in Rapid City, SD. He served in the US Navy for six years during World War II in both the Atlantic and Pacific arenas.
Kennie and Aletha raised their four children on the Wood family ranch where they raised the first Galloway cattle brought to the area by Waldon Wood. They built a new home in 1958 (where Mike and Anita Heathershaw now live).
Kennie and Aletha moved to Lexington, Nebraska, in November of 1976. Kennie worked for Sperry New Holland, then Shotkoski Hay Company, until he retired in November of 2005 at the ripe old age of 82. He always had a horse nearby and enjoyed square dancing on horseback with the Plum Creekers. Kennie and Aletha moved to Kearney, NE, in October of 2008.
Kennie was cherished by his children and grandchildren and loved by many friends and family. He made friends easily and often, including the doctors, nurses and staff who attended him in his later years. He always had a smile and usually, a song or two.
He was a member of the Methodist Church, South Dakota Stockgrowers, VFW, American Legion, and enjoyed the time he spent with his roping clubs and horseback square dancing club.
Kennie was devoted to all his grandchildren, but his great grandson, Keenan Charles White, who shares his great-grandfather's KCW initials, had his own special place in Kennie's heart.
Missing Kennie with great love are his wife, Aletha of Kearney; daughters: Jonny Winn-Holsether (Chuck) of Wall, SD; Shirley (Ron) Huss of Kearney; and Carol (Steve) Walker of Kearney. Grandchildren: Fr. Steven Thomlison of Lincoln, NE; Shelly (Zach) White of Piedmont, SD; Stacy Molai of Omaha, NE; Sarah (Yinka) Akinyemi of Lincoln; and great-grandson Keenan Charles White of Piedmont, SD. He is also survived by brother-in-law Lyle Witt and niece Jean (Tony) Hay of Rapid City. Kennie was also very devoted to his cousins in the Mins family.
He was preceded in death by a son, Wesley Bryan Wood; his parents, Waldon and Blanche Wood; and a sister, Maxine Witt.
Visitation washeld 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at the Mt. Carmel Home Keens Memorial Chapel in Kearney.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at the United Methodist Church in Wall, with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating.
Interment with military honors was at the Wall Cemetery.

VISITATION
Mt. Carmel Chapel
Kearney, Nebraska

FUNERAL SERVICES
Saturday, April 7, 2012 - 10:00 a.m.
United Methodist Church
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Harold Delbridge
MUSIC
“If You Get There Before I Do”
“Go Rest High”
USHERS
Tracy Trask - Tyler Trask
PALLBEARERS
Todd Trask - Casey Trask
Tony Hay - Steve McDonnell
Garrett Bryan - Gallyn Wolf
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Tom McDonnell - Lynn Williams - Woody Shelton
Lyle Witt - Don Mins - Bill Shotkoski
THOSE IN MEMORY
George Bryan - Jesse Bryan - Milton Trask
Fred Wolf - Elnoris Kjerstad - Marvin Anders
Lane Johnston - Bill Walker
INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota

Visitation: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, Mt. Carmel Chapel in Kearney.
Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at the United Methodist Church in Wall.
Interment with military honors: Wall Cemetery.

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My deepest sympathy. I have many many childhood memories that Kennie was a part of. He was a great guy and will be missed. ~ Lea (Willuweit) Ymker Armour SD (4/2/2012)
My sympathy to Aunt Aletha and the girls. Uncle Kenny always made my smile, what a sweetheart. My fondest memories of Uncle Kenny was playing cards with him when "Whitty" was in the deck. Love you ~ Debbie Bryan Wall (4/2/2012)
Our deepest sympathy to Kennie's whole family!
"....Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory that no one can steal." (unknown) ~ Steve & Becki Thomlison Gering, NE (4/2/2012)
Our Love and prayers are with the Family at this time. Sincerely, Susan and Denny Walsh ~ Denny Walsh Miami, FL. (4/2/2012)
Kennie & Aletha were a big part of my childhood. Kennie was always the sweetest, kindest man. He always tried to tease followed by a chuckle:)I will remember him with the fondest of memories!! God bless to Aletha and all family-You are in my thoughts and prayers! ~ Anita (Trask) Heathershaw 23301 Quinn Rd. Quinn, S.D. (Home) (4/2/2012)
The memories of the summers and round-up on the Quinn ranch with the gang of cousins remain strong. I will keep those memories and all of you in my heart. My sympathy to you, Aletha, and to the family. ~ Judy Adams Farris 301 8th Ave, Belle Fourche SD (4/2/2012)
Our sympathy to each of you. We had many a good time at your place during high school days. Let the good memories flow-Kennie loved life and the fun in life!
~ Ed & Linda Eisenbraun Rapid City, SD (4/2/2012)
Aletha, Jonny, Shirley and Carol,
Our deepest sympathy to you all. I have so many fond memories of time spent at your place while we were kids, and always enjoyed Kennie's sense of humor. May your wonderful memories carry you through the tough times until one day you meet again. Wish I could be with you Saturday, but am unable to. Love and prayers to you all. Kitty ~ Kitty and Len Monke 5645 B 106th Ave SW, Regent, ND 58650 (4/2/2012)
Aletha and Families......So sorry for your loss...Everyone loved Kennie...I even loved the way he used to tease all of us kids...Love to all Cleo
~ Cleo Williams Rapid City SD (4/2/2012)
My sympathies to all of you. May God's love and peace be with you at this time of loss. ~ Susan Cheney Dedekam Peoria, AZ (4/2/2012)
Please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your dearly beloved husband, father and grandfather (Kenneth) during this most difficult time.May his entire family draw comfort from the promises made to us by our very loving creator Jehovah God.In John 5:28,29 & Rev 21:4,5 he promises to bring Kenneth back to life in the resurrection right here on earth in the very near future and end all sickness,suffering and death forever. ~ Susan George Erie,Pa (4/2/2012)
Only recently did I become aware of Kennie's death. I remember him so well, and very fondly, from the time I spent with him and his family when I was growing up and hanging around the Wall and Quinn area. He was such a warm, pleasant and fun person to be around. My (belated) sympathies to Aletha, Johnny, Shirley and the rest of the family. I hope you are all moving forward as best you can. ~ Sam Cordes West Lafayette. IN (4/2/2012)