KENNETH KOMMES

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Friday, February 24th at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Msgr. Kevin McCoy officiating the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Corpus Christi Cemetery with military rites provided by the VFW Post 1856 and the United States Marine Corps. A visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday with a Vigil service beginning at 7:00 at Laufersweiler Funeral Home.

Ken is survived by his children Kim (Dennis) Stuhrenberg of Clare, Dennis (Vickie) Kommes of Slater, Donna (Kevin) Stuhrenberg of Sgt. Bluff, Kevin (Joni) Kommes of Des Moines, Judee (David Tappe) Kommes of Fort Dodge, and Janelle Knowlton of Michigan City, IN; grandchildren Gail (Josh) Zehr, Eric Stuhrenberg, Jason (Emily) Stuhrenberg, and Emma Stuhrenberg, Paul Nielsen, Amanda (Tim) Zediker and Matt Stuhrenberg, Kara (Jordan) Gegner and Kassi (Taylor) Radke, Brittney Fox, TJ Pritchard and Emilee (Paul) Longuski, and Collin Knowlton; great-grand children Parker and Connor Zehr, Jordin Stuhrenberg, Jemma, Kyler and Fletcher Stuhrenberg, Tatum and Teagan Clark, Alex and Jacob Nielsen, Josie and Brock Gegner, Poppy Fox, Jude, August, Walker and Indiana Longuski; siblings Rich Kommes, Mary (Bill) Langley, Loretta (Lee) Steichen and LaVonne (Pete) Galles.

Preceding him in death are his wife, Erlene; parents; siblings Don, Dolores, Larry, Florence, and Leonard; sisters-in-law LaVonne, Marlys and Betty; brothers-in-law Jerry and Butch; grandchildren Ryan, Sarah, and Aubrei.

Kenneth Henry Kommes was born in Audubon, Iowa to Albert and Mabel Kommes on March 14, 1935. He graduated from Remsen High School and then attended Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa earning his teaching certificate in America History, World History, American Government, Physical Education, Driver’s Education, and his coaching endorsement. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in November 1954 and served for 3 years in Hawaii as a MP and played on the baseball team. He married Erlene Thompson on December 30, 1959. He went on to earn his master’s in education with an emphasis in Psychology/Counseling from USD, Vermillion, South Dakota, and his certification for principal/supervisor from ISU, Ames, Iowa.

Ken spent most of his teaching career in Catholic schools. He taught history, PE and shop at Spalding Catholic High School in Granville, Iowa then moved his family to Fort Dodge to be the Counselor at St. Edmond Catholic High School. He later became Dean of Students and was interim principal for a time. He retired as a guidance counselor from Prairie Valley High School. He coached baseball at both Spalding and St. Edmond. He was also a referee and umpire and played fastpitch softball with a team in Clare.

Ken was passionate about golf and could be found at Lakeside multiple times a day. He ran the senior league there for a few years. He was an avid New York Yankees fan who rarely missed watching a game.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.