Kenneth Frederick Saeger

Rock Rapids, Iowa Kenneth Frederick Saeger, age 92 years and one month and 12 days of Rock Rapids, IA, died Sunday, May 12, 2013 at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Mark Hansen officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 14, 2013 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. Kenneth (Ken) Saeger was born March 20, 1921 in Rock Township, Lyon County, Iowa, on the family farm near Lakewood corner, the son of William and Hulda (Stoehr) Saeger. Ken grew up on the family farm. He attended country school and graduated at the 8th grade, after which he worked the family farm full time with his two older brothers, Elmer and Edwin. At a young age, Kens parents died, leaving his older siblings to raise him. On August 15, 1969, Ken was united in marriage to Joan Larson Fueston, and together they raised three children, Richard, Shari, and Cindy. Ken continued farming with his two older brothers, until he and Joan retired in 1992, at which time, the couple moved from the farm into Rock Rapids to enjoy their retirement years. Ken celebrated his life as a devoted and loving husband and family man. Attending church was also a very important part of Kens life. He was an original and life-long member of Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. Ken was active in several church activities, including Mens Bible studies and Head Usher for the Communion team. Ken loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, attending both their school and church activities. He also enjoyed spending time with his many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Ken was active in bowling, both on the mens and couples leagues. Also, he loved to go roller skating and dancing. Ken especially enjoyed woodworking and was very proud of his wood shop in the couples home in Rock Rapids, where he would enjoy much of his retirement time making items for his family and friends. He also loved baseball, talking about farming, feeding the birds, tending to his trees, flower gardening, games, and traveling to see relatives. Ken was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, and loved to collect items with John Deere and cardinals. On the weekends, Ken and Joan loved to go out for dinner and a movie. In Rock Rapids, Ken really enjoyed eating at Slades Drive-In, where he enjoyed a steak sandwich and ice cream for dessert. In July of 2011, Ken entered Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Rock Rapids. Ken was happy to have family and friends visit. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 43 years, Joan Saeger of Rock Rapids, IA; three children, Richard (Sheila) Fueston of Inwood, IA; Shari (Greg) Vanden Heuvel of Rock Rapids, IA; and Cindy (Allan) Hess of West Okoboji, IA; seven grandchildren, Kerry Vanden Heuvel of Phoenix, AZ; Jordan Vanden Heuvel of Rock Rapids, IA; Sawyer Vanden Heuvel of Sioux Falls, SD; Kirby Fueston of Storm Lake, IA; Kyle Fueston of Spencer, IA; Lucas Risseeuw of Inwood, IA, and Anna McCarty of Inwood, IA; one sister-in-law, Alyda Saeger of Rock Rapids, IA; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Ken is preceded in death by his parents, William and Hulda Saeger; two sisters, Lillian Luinstra and Myrtle Saeger; and two brothers, Elmer and Edwin Saeger.