Kenneth Thiessen

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Kenneth Thiessen, age 78 of Alvord, IA died suddenly on Friday, December 5, 2025, from injuries sustained in farm accident.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 9th from 4 to 7 PM, with the family present at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Inwood, IA.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, December 10th at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Inwood, IA, with Rev. Sue Sinclair officiating.

In lieu of flower memorials may be directed to the Logan Kruse Scholarship Fund, Alvord Community Building and the Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Inwood.

Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids is in charge of services.

Kenneth Leon Thiessen was born on May 21, 1947, the son of Henry and Ethel (Klein) Thiessen. He grew up on the family farm near Alvord, IA and attended Cleveland #8 country school. He then attended West Lyon School for 2 years. After the unexpected death of his father, Ken and his brothers took over the farming. He was a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard for 4 years.

On November 28, 1970, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Gorseth. They made their home on a farm near Alvord, where he lived the remainder of his life. He was a longtime member of Christ Lutheran Church in Alvord, until it closed. He and Marilyn became members at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Inwood. He was a member of the Alvord Elevator Board, Alvord Gun Club and the Dick DeBoer, Post #704, American Legion of Alvord.

Ken enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren’s school activities, camping, fishing and their trips, wintering in Arizona for the past five years. Ken also enjoyed playing Pinochle, having Ford cars, John Deere tractors and helping neighbors haul silage. The past season Ken put in 12-hour days driving a silage truck.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Marilyn Thiessen; two sons, Troy (Allison) Thiessen and Jeremy (girlfriend, Jill Rees) Thiessen; a daughter, Jody (Damon) Langenhorst; seven grandchildren, Kalyn Langenhorst, Kiah (Ty) Ulmer, Shay Langenhorst, Chase Thiessen, Landon Thiessen, Paige Thiessen and Blaire Thiessen; a brother, Don (Linda) Thiessen; a sister, Diane Thiessen; and several nieces, nephews and other extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ethel Thiessen; a sister, Carolyn Thiessen; parents-in-law, David and Ardis Gorseth; and several aunts and uncles.