Kenneth Stowe, 87, lifelong resident of New Effington, SD passed away suddenly and peacefully at his farm home on Friday evening, January 6, 2012. Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Faith Lutheran Church, New Effington, SD, with Rev. Harold Watrous officiating. Organist and soloist will be Greta Leen. Pallbearers will be Timothy Koch, Scott Davis, Lucas Rueter, John Trittin, Rodney Parkhurst and Larry Goette. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kenneth's Granddaughters, Lindsay Rueter, Nicole Davis and Sarah Koch, Great Grandsons, James Koch and Beau Rueter and Kenneth's friends. Interment will be in the Faith Lutheran Garden of Rest Cemetery, New Effington, SD. There will be visitation on Monday, January 9, 2012 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Cahill Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Tuesday.
Kenneth Milton Stowe was born on a farm 2 1/2 miles east of New Effington on July 18, 1924, the 5th of 6 children of Alick and Hilda (Braaten) Stowe. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. On September 21, 1952, he married Margaret Tritten of Great Bend, ND. To this union two children were born, Cheryl and Lori. The couple lived all of their married years on their farm two miles from New Effington, during which time Ken farmed until 2007, he was a business man and worked for the Roberts County ASC Office. In 1959, Ken and Margaret opened Ken-Mar Lanes in New Effington which they owned and operated until 1984. In 2000, Ken and three other partners repurchased the bowling alley and operated it as The Four Lanes until 2004 when they sold the property. Ken lived a simple yet wonderful life. He was kind, loving, friendly, and hard working. He loved his family, friends, relatives and believed in his community. A quiet man at heart, he still loved visiting with people and getting to know them better. He was a beloved husband, an awesome father, grandfather and he has left us all with so many wonderful memories of him. His hobbies included spending time with family, friends, traveling frequently with Margaret and Lori, reading, and doing word search or crossword puzzles, playing cards, games, bowling, cooking and baking with Margaret and Lori, watching comedies on TV, etc. He loved to reminisce and tell us stories of the old days. He loved to laugh and could often be silly to the pleasure and delight of his children and grandchildren.
Ken is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret; daughters, Cheryl (David) Koch of Maple Grove, MN and Lori Stowe of New Effington, SD; his three grandchildren, Tim (Sarah) Koch of Maple Grove, MN, Nicole (Scott) Davis of Brooklyn Park, MN and Lindsay (Lucas) Rueter of Monticello, MN; two great grandsons, James Koch and Beau Rueter; one brother, Curtis ( LeAnn) Stowe of New Effington, SD; sisters-in-law, Darleen Braaten of New Effington, Mary Ann Tritten of Great Bend, ND; brother-in-law Wesley (Joan) Trittin of Hankinson, ND as well as several nieces and nephews.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Jeanette Martinek, Lorraine Westby and Luella Knutson; one brother Lloyd Stowe; nephew Vernell Martinek as well as brothers-in-law, Emil Martinek, Ken Westby, Hank Knutson, Allen Braaten and sister-in-law Leona Stowe.