Ken Wiedenfeld HICKMAN — Kenneth I. Wiedenfeld, 82, Hickman, formerly of Hartington, died Dec. 3, 2024, at his residence in Hickman.

Mass of Christian Burial was Dec.

10 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with the Rev. Owen Korte officiating.

Burial was at the Hartington City Cemetery, with military honors by the Hartington VFW Post #5283 and the Legion Riders.

Pallbearers were Dane Boeckman, Bob Burke, Matt Topf, Greg Topf, Brent Dewald and Charlie Holm.

Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Wiedenfeld, Mark Wiedenfeld, Ken Guenther, Jack Wyant, Gary Olsen, Tim Lund, Ray Kneifl and Jason Slama.

Visitation was Tuesday, at church.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Kenneth Irvin was born to Irvin and Grace (Tesdall) Wiedenfeld Dec. 21, 1941, in Yankton, S.D. Kenny grew up on the farm homesteaded by the Wiedenfeld family in rural Dixon County. He attended Grand Ridge country school through the eighth grade, and graduated from Hartington Public High School in 1959. During high school, he was involved in football, track, band and chorus. He also worked part-time at Stolpe Service Station and assisted his father on the farm. After graduation, he worked for the State of Nebraska doing road and bridge maintenance.

In the fall of 1960, he attended Automation Institute in Omaha for the operation of IBM data processing equipment. For a short time after graduation from AI, he was employed by Central Nebraska Insurance Company of Omaha. In late 1961, he began working for the State Hospital, Yankton, S.D., doing data processing. During this employment, he acquired a part-time sales job with S&T TV & Appliance/Mobile Homes of Yankton. Kenneth married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Mary Ann Yonke, Aug. 11, 1962, in Laurel. He began full-time employment for S&T shortly after their marriage and continued until entering the United States Army in February 1966. After basic training in Ft. Leonard, Mo., he attended advanced IBM schooling in Indianapolis, Ind., then received orders to be a computer operator, and later a supervisor, for the Army Operations Center at the Pentagon.

During his tour at the Pentagon, Kenneth and Mary Ann became the proud parents of Dawn Patricia Sept. 15, 1968. Kenneth received an honorable discharge from the Army in February 1969, as a Specialist Grade 6 (Staff Sargent). He returned to employment with S&T as an office manager and accountant for their locations in Yankton, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Mitchell, S.D. After the sale of S&T in late 1970, the family moved to Slayton, Minn., and opened a manufactured home retail sales and service business. In the fall of 1976, they sold the business and Kenneth began employment with Moduline Homes in Montevideo, Minn., as a regional manager. In 1981, he began a career working in the replacement window and door industry, working in sales and corporate training. The family relocated to Hickman in the fall of 1983, where Kenneth and Mary lived out the remainder of their lives. In 2008, he transferred to Architectural Testing Institute, where he performed manufacturing test audits.

After 53 years of marriage, he sadly lost Mary, May 17, 2016, at the age of 72. He continued working part-time, but fully retired in 2018.

Throughout his life he loved hunting and fi shing, as well as spending time with family. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR races, and of course, Nebraska football.

Kenneth is survived by daughter, Dawn (Brad) Boeckman, Lincoln; grandson, Dane Boeckman (Lakyn Mueller); and six great-grandchildren, Springfield, S.D.; two sisters, Kathy (Charles) Burke, Pierre, S.D., and Marilyn (Larry) Topf, Sloan, Iowa; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and close friend, Sandra Rosecrans, Princeton.

He was preceded in death by his wife and parents. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Wounded W arrior Project.