Kenneth Tremel
August 26, 1931 — July 16, 2023
Kenneth Alfred Tremel
Ken Tremel, 91, of Panama, IA, passed away from a sudden illness on July 16, 2023.
Ken was born on August 26, 1931 to Anna and Joseph Tremel on the family farm in Panama, IA. As the tenth of twelve siblings, he was no stranger to hard work, the art of diplomacy, and being resourceful.
From 1952-54 he served in the United States Army in the Co K, 27th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. After his military service, he returned to farming in Panama, IA. In his free time, he enjoyed playing on Panama’s baseball town team and could hit the ball as hard and far as anyone. His love of baseball continued through rooting for the Red Sox and Braves teams and later inspired him to build his own batting cage on his farm. Although he said it was for softball hitting practice with his daughters, we knew it just as much for his own slugging time.
On April 8, 1972, Ken married Elizabeth (Betty) Jean O’Day and to this union were born three daughters, Vicki, Luann, and Kim. He was a devoted and patient husband and father and caring grandfather. Whether it was while throwing square bales in the sweltering August heat and humidity, checking on his calving herd while battling walking pneumonia, or lobbing his perfectly timed dry-humored zingers, Ken didn’t do anything halfway. He took pride in staying physically active, always sticking up for the underdog, and being meticulous with details.
Ken was a very conscientious and dedicated farmer. He cared deeply for his livestock and went to great lengths to keep them healthy. His large hands were tough and scarred from over six decades of farming, but still gentle enough to help a granddaughter tousle the curly forehead of a bottle calf. He was the epitome of everything that one needs to withstand the demands of farm life: rugged resilience, a heart for caretaking, abundant common sense, reliability, efficiency, a keen understanding of animal personalities, and loyalty to family and the land.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Leona Buckley, Helen Frederick, and Mary Gross; brothers Edward, John, Alphonse, Raymond, Leonard, Joseph, and Charlie.
Ken is survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty of Panama; his daughters Vicki (Brian) Nolton of Grinnell, IA, Luann (Dale) Schwery of Panama, IA, and Kim (Terry Keefer) Tremel of Coralville, IA; granddaughters Danica Nolton of Duluth, MN and Kendra Nolton of Grinnell, IA, and many other family members and friends.
Ken is dearly missed by his loved ones, but leaves behind a legacy of these life lessons:
think for yourself, get plenty of exercise and time in nature, be humble, honest and work hard, watch your cattle to predict the weather, and if you want it done right do it yourself.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Tremel of Panama, IA; children, Vicki (Brian) Nolton of Grinnell, IA, Luann (Dale) Schwery of Panama, IA, Kim (Terry) Keefer of Coralville, IA; brother, Ralph (Elaine) Tremel of Panama, Iowa; many other family members and friends.
Ken Tremel, 91, of Panama, IA, passed away from a sudden illness on July 16, 2023.
Ken was born on August 26, 1931 to Anna and Joseph Tremel on the family farm in Panama, IA. As the tenth of twelve siblings, he was no stranger to hard work, the art of diplomacy, and being resourceful.
From 1952-54 he served in the United States Army in the Co K, 27th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. After his military service, he returned to farming in Panama, IA. In his free time, he enjoyed playing on Panama’s baseball town team and could hit the ball as hard and far as anyone. His love of baseball continued through rooting for the Red Sox and Braves teams and later inspired him to build his own batting cage on his farm. Although he said it was for softball hitting practice with his daughters, we knew it just as much for his own slugging time.
On April 8, 1972, Ken married Elizabeth (Betty) Jean O’Day and to this union were born three daughters, Vicki, Luann, and Kim. He was a devoted and patient husband and father and caring grandfather. Whether it was while throwing square bales in the sweltering August heat and humidity, checking on his calving herd while battling walking pneumonia, or lobbing his perfectly timed dry-humored zingers, Ken didn’t do anything halfway. He took pride in staying physically active, always sticking up for the underdog, and being meticulous with details.
Ken was a very conscientious and dedicated farmer. He cared deeply for his livestock and went to great lengths to keep them healthy. His large hands were tough and scarred from over six decades of farming, but still gentle enough to help a granddaughter tousle the curly forehead of a bottle calf. He was the epitome of everything that one needs to withstand the demands of farm life: rugged resilience, a heart for caretaking, abundant common sense, reliability, efficiency, a keen understanding of animal personalities, and loyalty to family and the land.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Leona Buckley, Helen Frederick, and Mary Gross; brothers Edward, John, Alphonse, Raymond, Leonard, Joseph, and Charlie.
Ken is survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty of Panama; his daughters Vicki (Brian) Nolton of Grinnell, IA, Luann (Dale) Schwery of Panama, IA, and Kim (Terry Keefer) Tremel of Coralville, IA; granddaughters Danica Nolton of Duluth, MN and Kendra Nolton of Grinnell, IA, and many other family members and friends.
Ken is dearly missed by his loved ones, but leaves behind a legacy of these life lessons:
think for yourself, get plenty of exercise and time in nature, be humble, honest and work hard, watch your cattle to predict the weather, and if you want it done right do it yourself.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Tremel of Panama, IA; children, Vicki (Brian) Nolton of Grinnell, IA, Luann (Dale) Schwery of Panama, IA, Kim (Terry) Keefer of Coralville, IA; brother, Ralph (Elaine) Tremel of Panama, Iowa; many other family members and friends.
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