- Date Of Birth: February 17, 1924
- Date Of Death: February 4, 2013
- State: Iowa
Kenneth G. Bormann, age 88, of St. Joseph, Iowa died on Monday February 4, 2013 at the Algona Manor Care Center. Kenneth Gerald Bormann was the oldest child of Henry and Victoria Josephine (Dora) Kenkel Bormann. He was born on his parents farm in Riverdale Township, Kossuth County, Iowa on February 17, 1924, his mother’s 24th birthday. Ken attended school for two years in the country on the hill east of the junction of Highway 169 and the West Bend Road. He then attended St. Joseph School graduating in 1942. He grew up on his parents’ farm, helping work the land and care for the livestock. When his father retired from farming in 1969, Ken took over the operation of the farm. He first rented the land from his father; after his father’s death in 1976, Ken rented from the estate. After his mother’s death in 1993, Ken and his sister Mildred acquired the home place. He also purchased a number of other parcels of farmland. For Ken, farming was not just a job; it was his vocation, a way of life. In 2011 Ken and many of his relatives attended the Iowa State Fair and received the Century Farm award from Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. Because the military draft was in effect, Ken was drafted into the Army in 1948, serving at Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Camp Lee and Fort Eustis, Virginia. Ken then joined the Reserves. When the Korean War broke out in 1950, Ken was recalled to active duty, and was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington and from there to Korea, where he was attached to the Korean Military Advisory Group, a Korean unit. For his service in Korea, he was awarded the Commendation Medal. Following military service, Ken joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Algona and the American Legion in Livermore. He was a lifetime member of both organizations. Ken was a past Post Commander at the Legion in Livermore and always participated in the military rites at funerals and washed dishes at the Legion breakfasts. Ken was an avid bowler and participated in leagues sponsored by Reinie’s Grocery and Pete’s Garage in St. Joe, Wilson’s Funeral Home in Algona and Pioneer. Ken’s scores were good enough to bring home trophies. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Parish in St. Joe. Starting in 1952, he served as an usher with Barney Thilges. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and always helped set up for the Mulligan Stew and worked in the pie stand. Ken never married. He is survived by his siblings Mildred Bormann of Humboldt; brother-in-law Joe Lappe of Wesley; Herbert and wife Marlene Bormann of Humboldt; Joel and wife Kathleen Bormann of Schaumburg, Illinois; and Dorothy and husband James Shomaker of Humboldt. He was an uncle to 24 nieces and nephews, and was also a great uncle and great great uncle. He is also survived by his partner in farming and renter, Matt Bormann and wife Nancy and also long-time friends Irvin and Eugene Mertz. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; brother Robert and sister-in-law Phyllis Bormann; sister, Mary Lou Lappe; sister, Eunice and brother-in-law Bernard Streit; and his nephew and godson David Kenneth Bormann.
