Kenneth Arlyn Wahl, age 86 of Westbrook, passed away Sunday, July 20, 2014 at Sunset Cottage Hospice in Worthington. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 24 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Westbrook Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in the Westbrook Cemetery. Military honors are by the Westbrook VFW Post 5098 and American Legion Post 152. Online condolences may be sent via www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Kenneth Arlyn Wahl, the son of Samuel Henry Wahl and Emelia Augusta Wenzel, was born on December 28, 1927 in Des Moines River Township in Murray County, Minnesota. He was received as a child of God through baptism and confirmed his faith at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fulda, Minnesota, on April 19, 1942. Kenneth was currently a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook, MN. He received his education at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran School in Fulda, graduating in June of 1942. On March 22, 1946, he joined the US Navy and served active duty in World War II. He was honorably discharged on January 27, 1948. Kenneth was a lifelong member of the American Legion and VFW in Westbrook, MN, and proudly served with the Color Guard. Kenneth was united in marriage to Lorraine Eunice Anderson on February 5, 1950. They were blessed with eight children, which they raised on their farm near Westbrook, MN. In addition to farming, Kenneth did masonry work and had his own carpentry business. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and driving his gator. He also enjoyed farming and gardening. Kenneth passed away Sunday, July 20, 2014, at Sunset Cottage Hospice in Worthington, Minnesota, at the age of 86 years.
Kenneth is survived by his 8 children: Vicky (Jerome) Ruppert of Eau Claire, WI, Barbara (Frank) Knusta of Eau Claire, WI, Alan (Rosalyn) Wahl of Westbrook, Robert (Kathy) Wahl of Avoca, Jerry (Ginny) Wahl of Brookeville, MD, Ranae (Danny) Sell of Currie, Randy (Jane) Wahl of Chanhassen, Douglas (Cindy) Wahl of Farmington; a small village of 31 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers: DuWayne (Verna), Arlyn (Dawn), Harley (Jane), Rodney; sisters: Marlene (Vince), Marilyn, and JoAnn; sister-in-law Mariette; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lorraine, brother Donald, and sister-in-law Irene Wahl, and brother-in-law Kenny Sandbo.
I am very deeply sad about uncle Ken. My thoughts and prayers are with
all of you.
Love Becky and family
So sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. I can still remember our family coming over to your house when we were all young kids and playing together. Saw and talked to your Dad at my Dad’s (Les Czepa) funeral 1 1/2 years ago. Glad I got to see him again. My deepest sympathy to all of you.
Peggy Czepa Oakland
I never met the Great Uncle Ken that my parents knew, or that Aunt Punk knew. And, I’m somewhat glad I hadn’t. I didn’t even know Aunt Lorraine’s real name until the day of her funeral. But, when I knew him, Uncle Ken was man at peace – a man who knew the solace in watching the rain fall gently across the farm on a cool evening. He never spoke much, when I met him. He hardly paid me any mind at family gatherings, save for a small smile or frown. I’ve heard he never quite had a fondness for children. But, we sat on his front porch, one afternoon, just the two of us, as the clouds drew in and it began to drizzle lightly.
I had said, “I don’t know why so many people hate the rain.”
And, he replied, “It sure is peaceful, isn’t it?”
My grandma came out to tell us to wash up for dinner, and that was the last time I saw or spoke him until Aunt Punk passed away.
Every so often, I’ll look back at that moment, and wish I had known more about him, and about Aunt Punk.