Kenneth Voltmer

Kenneth Lee Voltmer, 91, of New Virginia, passed away June 10, 2023 at Regency Care Center, Norwalk.

Ken was born October 7, 1931 at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan to Frank and Irene Voltmer. He graduated from high school in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.

Having completed a Michigan State agricultural short course, Ken joined the Army and served in Korea as a mechanic, achieving the rank of sergeant. He married Rosanne Marie Lantz on September 14, 1952 in Fairview, Michigan. Ken then worked as a hired hand at farms in Cambridge and Bondurant, Iowa until they moved to Sigourney, Iowa, farming there for five years. They moved to the New Virginia farm in 1960. Ken and a partner later started Frederick and Voltmer Manufacturing which employed 30, and later became the Seed and Grain company.

Ken treasured his wife, Rosanne and loved his children, and was proud of their accomplishments. He especially enjoyed seeing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In earlier years, he enjoyed square dancing, camping, canoeing, flying lessons, and travel.

Ken accepted Christ as his savior at a Youth for Christ rally at age 19. His faith shaped his service to others, which was an integral part of his life. In 1971 he challenged the community to match his $500 donation (an inheritance from his grandmother), to start a library. He and others started an ambulance service with a fixed-up ambulance, and became EMT-trained. He traveled to Mexico on mission trips for 10 years. He served in Honduras for 30 years doing missions work. He established and supported a feeding program in Honduras serving 1700 kids in 16 schools. While in Honduras he helped distribute 7000 New Testaments as a Gideon. He served with New Virginia Development Corporation, Grief Share, nursing homes, Vets hospital, Winifred Law Opportunity Center, Habitat, volunteer firefighter, hospice, and church leadership positions.

Ken was a storyteller, a joker and a kidder. Many a guest was startled when he brought out the mummified cat. We will miss him profoundly.

Those relatives who preceded Kenneth in death were his parents; stillborn infant daughter, Sheryl Voltmer; wife, Rosanne Marie Voltmer, brother, Robert Voltmer, father-in-law, J. Carl Lantz, mother-in-law, Edna Marie Lantz, sister-in-law, Carlyne Jeffries, brothers-in-law, Keith Lantz and Bill Lantz.

Kenneth leaves to cherish his memory; son, Gary Voltmer of New Virginia, IA, daughter, Luanne (Steve) Marten of Kansas City, MO, daughter, Jerilynn (Alan) Bush of Sheboygan, WI, son, Steve (Beth) Voltmer of New Virginia, IA, grandchildren, Andy (Katie) Marten of Prairie Village, KS, Alex (Megan) Marten of Spring Hill, KS, Tom (Megan) Marten of Mission, KS, Pete (Estarah) Marten of Kansas City, KS, Joe (Liz) Bush of Madison, WI, Courtney (Chad) Stanley of New Virginia, IA, Tanner (Abbie) Loyd of Indianola, IA, Mackenzy (Eric) Scrivner of St. Charles, IA; great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Nick, Emmy Marten, Ellie, Charlie and Hattie Marten, Makenna, Hadley and Hayden Loyd, Lincoln Stanley, Myles, Grace and Emmitt Scrivner, as well as other relatives and many friends.

Services will be held at Kale Funeral Home - Osceola, Saturday June 17, 2023 at 10:30 am with Pastor Jon Duey officiating. The family will greet friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, June 16, 2023 at Kale Funeral Home. A live stream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Kenneth’s tribute wall beginning at 10:30 am, Saturday.

Interment will be in the New Virginia CemeteryMemorial contributions may be directed to EveryStep Hospice 3000 Easton Boulevard, Des Moines, Iowa 50317 https://www.everystep.org/donate, Gideon International PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800 https://www.gideons.org/donate. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com