Ken West
Ken L. West, 79, of Waukon passed away Friday, May 3, 2024, at his home in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 10 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. Burial with military honors will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis Monday, May 13.
Kenneth Lee West was born January 31, 1945, in Oakland to Floyd and Ruth (Taylor) West. He graduated from Oakland High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army. After serving three years stateside and in Germany, he returned to Iowa.
Ken attended Northwest Missouri State and earned a teaching degree. While in college, he met Charlene Jahnke and they married August 30, 1969. Ken and Char began their long and dedicated career in education, teaching in Mound City and Hopkins, MO. They moved to the Mormon Trail School District and while teaching and coaching, Ken pursued his Master’s degree in school administration. Ken served as elementary principal in Mormon Trail and West Liberty before moving to Waukon in 1986. Ken was the principal at Waterville Elementary School until 2003.
Ken was an avid golfer, played in leagues, many tournaments, and was on the board at the Waukon Country Club. He traveled to four major PGA championships with his son, Alan: Pebble Beach, CA in 2010, Olympic Club in San Francisco, CA in 2012, The Open in Scotland in 2013, and The Masters in Augusta, GA in 2019. Ken and Charlene traveled with friends and to visit friends. They particularly enjoyed ocean cruises. Ken was a good friend to many.
Ken is survived by his wife of 54 years, Charlene; his son, Alan, of San Francisco, CA; his sisters, Jackie Jensen of Avoca and Linda Jensen of Council Bluffs; his sister-in-law, Linda Jahnke of Lewis; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Jerry, Lila, and Darlene; and his brother-in-law, Ron Jahnke.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
