Kenneth Dean Rockhold II, 76 of Ankeny, Iowa passed away peacefully on Friday, November 18th at MercyOne Hospice House in Johnson.
Ken was born on July 10th 1946 to Kenneth Dean Rockhold I and Helen Louise Rockhold in Leon, Iowa. Ken Graduated from Allerton-Clio-Lineville High School in 1964 and attended Northeast Missouri State University, he went on to work at John Deere in Moline, Illinois and at a fertilizer plant in Des Moines before moving back to Lineville and starting his own fertilizer business, K&L Ag Service
In 1965 Ken met Linda May Jackson in Lineville, Iowa, they were wed on April 9th, 1965. Ken and Linda went on to have four children. Melissa, Patricia, Nickolas and Amanda.
In 1990 Ken started working at American Nation Can (currently Bemis Inc) in Des Moines, he and Linda moved to Ankeny in 1995 where they lived their remaining days. Ken retired in 2010 but worked the next 11 years part time as a crop insurance adjuster for Farmers Rain and Hail. Ken particularly liked this as it allowed him to be back with farmers and be in the fields again. Ken fully retired in 2021 and wintered in Port Aransas, Texas.
Ken had many hobbies over the years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brother's and father in Lineville, wood working in his shed in Ankeny, playing pitch with his family. Ken particularly enjoyed playing the slot machines in his later years, but his favorite thing was watching his grandchildren in their activities. Papa, as he was affectionately referred to by his grandchildren, was a constant figure in the stands or the golf course, often traveling to other states and across the country to watch them.
Ken was preceded in death by his Grandparents Charlie and Cora Rockhold, Parents Kenneth and Helen as well as his wife of 55 years Linda. Ken is survived by his two brothers Mike Rockhold along with his wife Norma, Tom Rockhold and his wife Janice. Children: Melissa Nederhoff and Husband Jeff currently of Des Moines with a move to Henderson, NV upcoming, Patricia Hackney of Corydon, Nickolas Rockhold and wife Angela of Leighton, and Amanda Rockhold of Ankeny. Papa is survived by grandchildren Brady Hackney, Kenneth "Hogan" Rockhold, Avery Rockhold, Nathan Lee and Josie Rockhold. Ken is also survived by his poodle Bo, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
There will be a small family service at a later date and a headstone will be placed at Evergreen Cemetery in Lineville, Iowa. Ken and Linda's wishes were to be cremated and ashes combined along with Bo's.
Ken was a great man with a kind soul.