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02,
1941
25,
2026
Donald "Butch" Keninger
March 2, 1941 — April 25, 2026
Ashton
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Ashton, IA
Donald “Butch” Keninger, age 85 of Ashton, IA, died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, April 25, 2026
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 29th, at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ashton, with Father Siby Punnoose celebrating.
Burial will follow in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Ashton.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 28th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with the family present at the St. Mary's Catholic Church. There will be a rosary at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon at the church.
Donald Keninger was born on March 2, 1941, at home in Ashton on the family farm, the son of William & Caroline (Hatting) Keninger. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Ashton through 8th grade. After 8th grade he started working various jobs until he started farming in 1965. On August 5, 1969, he was united in marriage to Dortena Mae VanderPol. To this union, four children were born. They farmed near Ashton and in 1975 moved to the family farm north of Ashton. Dortena proceeded Donald in death in 2014. Following her passing, he relocated to Ashton where he continued to farm until 2023.
He passed away on Saturday April 25, 2026, at his home.
Left to cherish his memory are his children Donna (Ken) Roder of Ashton, IA, Karen Keninger of Gilmore City, IA, Leon Keninger of Ashton, IA and Joyce (Scott) Swets of Sheldon, IA; four grandchildren, Samantha (Jesse) Kinzebach, Jennifer Roder, Kimberlin Roder, and Michael Keninger; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Linda Schuett of Sheldon, IA and Lois Keninger of Sibley, IA; three sisters-in-law Janice (Bill) Wolterstorff, Carolyn VanderPol, and Esther VanderPol; and two brothers-in-law, Charles (Pearl) VanderPol, and Gary (Lisa) VanderPol.
He was proceeded in death by his wife of 45 years, Dortena; parents William and Caroline; brothers John and Vince; brother (in infancy) Patrick, nephew Robert “Bobby” Keninger; sister-in-law Cindy VanderPol; and brother-in-law Robert VanderPol. Blessed be his memory.