Norman Kenkel

Norman Kenkel (1936 - 2023) Norman Vincent Kenkel was born June 25, 1936, in Earling, Iowa to Hubert and Emma (Katzer) Kenkel, joining older sisters Margie and Ollie and later becoming an older brother to Melvin. The family lived and farmed five miles east of Earling. Norman graduated in 1954 from Saint Joseph’s Catholic School, Earling, served in the US Army in Korea, and returned home and married his life-long sweetheart Joyce Jacobsen February 17, 1958. Norman and Joyce set up residence on a farm near his childhood home. He and his father worked together to tend to both farms. As a farmer, Norman was an early adopter of land conservation practices. Within a few years, he focused on production of hogs, soybeans and corn. He was truly a life-long farmer, retiring in 2008, yet continued to assist and advise his oldest son Kevin as the next farmer in this multi-generational Iowa farm family, including into the 2023 harvest season. For many years, Norm and Joyce’s car had NOJOY vanity plates, but their long life together was anything but joyless. Kevin was born nine months after their honeymoon, followed by twins Craig and Cindy, Karen, Phil, Doug, twins Lyle and Lynn, Jill and Troy. As the family grew, so did the old farmhouse, which continued to be Norm and Joyce’s home long after their children ventured out on their own. When not farming, Norm enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Whether that be traveling to visit the Colorado cousins, having cookouts and pitching horseshoes with the neighboring Dick and Zita Bruck family, playing cards, hosting holiday get togethers and family reunions, attending church picnics, dropping coins in slot machines, or taking a Sunday afternoon drive through the countryside, he loved to socialize. Surviving Norm is his wife Joyce; children Kevin (Colleen), Craig, Cindy Gerdts, Karen (CJ) Hildreth, Phil (Cindy), Doug (Dina), Lyle (Kay), Lynn, Jill (Mark) Campbell, and Troy (Heather); 18 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, Norm’s family asks you to consider donating to the American Lung Association.