Kenneth Allen Kotval age 85 of Morgan, formerly of Vesta, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at Prairie Home Hospice in Marshall. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 10 at the United Methodist Church in Morgan. Visitation is 5:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Private burial will be at a later date. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home in Redwood Falls is assisting the family with arrangements.

Kenneth Allen Kotval was born December 1, 1929 in Vesta, Minnesota to Louis and Pearl (Truax) Kotval. He was baptized at the Presbyterian Church in Vesta and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lucan. Ken attended Lucan School through the 8^th grade, graduated from Milroy High School, and attended a year at Augsburg College. He joined the Army National Guard in 1948 and was called to active duty in 1950. Ken spent 1951 and 1952 with the 2^nd Indian Head Div. in Korea, 38^th Infantry Regiment Tank Company as a tank commander. Just before rotating home, he became the Supply Sergeant and was discharged at Fort McCoy, WI. Ken was awarded these medals while serving in Korea: Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Korea Service, Republic of Korea War Service National Defense, Korea Service with one combat star, Sharp Shooter Rifle and Pistol medal. On May 7, 1952 Ken came back to Vesta and started farming in 1953. He also worked five winters for Sears on Lake Street in Minneapolis and also worked for Jensen Brothers Grain and Feed Service in Lucan, and Elmer Roadfelt Hardware in Lucan. Ken was also a rural mail carrier for the Vesta Post Office, retiring in June 1999 after 13 years. He married Bonnie Verhaake in 1955. To this marriage three children were born: Marlys, Bruce, and Tammy. This marriage ended in 1974. Ken married JoAnn Dagner on July 10, 1981 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lucan. The couple made their home on the Kotval farm west of Vesta. In 2003 they sold the building site and moved to Morgan. Ken did volunteer work at the historical Gilfillan Farm and also delivered auction bills for Kirk’s Auction Service. He reported the weather to the National Weather Service at Chanhassen for 21 years. Ken was a charter member of the Vesta Lions and Vesta First Responders. He was a member of the Vesta Legion since 1952 and was a fire arms trainer in Vesta for 10 years. He also served as secretary and Sunday School teacher at Trinity Lutheran Church, Parish Board Vice President for Wabasso, Lucan, and Milroy churches. Ken enjoyed fishing, gardening, softball, baseball, and football. He also loved playing cards, square dancing, and playing Santa.

Ken is survived by his wife JoAnn of 34 years; children: Marlys (Curt) Carpenter of Marshall, Bruce Kotval of Shoreview, and Tammy Rozell of Marshall; step-children: Elena Dagner of Heyworth, IL, Bruce (Sheila) Dagner of Dassell, and Don Dagner of Redwood Falls; grandson Christopher Carpenter, step-grandchildren: Isabelle and Gabrielle Densmore, Nicholas and James Dagner, Sarah (Josh) Moen, and Karina Dagner; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, stepdaughter Stacy Dagner, and stepson Bill Dagner.