In Memory of Kenneth "Ken" Palm

Kenneth “Ken” Palm, age 82, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Saturday, September 15, 2018, at the Mercy Medical Center of Sioux City, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 20, 2018, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Father Richard D. Ball will officiate with Committal Services following in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. A rosary will be held at 4:45 p.m. and a vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Kenneth Arthur Palm, the son of Arthur and Goldie (Couch) Palm, was born August 23, 1936, in Arthur, Iowa. Ken grew up on the farm and attended school in Arthur graduating with the class of 1954. After high school he worked for various farmers, then at Midwest Industries for a few years and drove a Standard Oil truck. He eventually found his forever job working for Lunzman Trenching for over 30 years.

On November 25, 1956, Ken was united in marriage to Beverly Hansen. The couple made their home in Ida Grove and were blessed with two children: Michael and Lisa. Beverly passed away in 1986. Ken married Shirley (Baker) Densmore on April 10, 1987 and blended their two families. 

Ken helped in the formation of the Ida County Flyers club in the 1970’s and greatly enjoyed flying after obtaining his pilot’s license. Ken loved to fix anything he could find, especially motors. He bought and traded guns and enjoyed fishing. 

Ken was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He particularly liked taking his grandchildren to Albrecht’s Pharmacy for an ice cream treat when they came to town. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife Shirley Palm of Ida Grove, IA; his children Michael (Karen) Palm of Valparaiso, IN and Lisa (Steve) Spriggs of Ft. Worth, TX; stepsons Jim (Robin) Densmore of Ida Grove, IA, John Densmore of Phoenix, AZ and Mike Densmore of Ida Grove, IA; 4 grandchildren: Sean (Jennifer) Brownlee, Ethan (Jill) Palm, Erin Palm and Heather (Matt) Baxter; 3 step grandchildren: Skye Densmore, Meghan Densmore and Justin Sheakley; 3 great-grandchildren: Ryan Baxter, Hadlee Brown and Barret Brownlee; 2 step great-grandchildren: Kennedy Sheakley and Chloe Sheakley; brothers-in-law Jim (Caroline) Baker of Red Oak, IA and Jerome (Joan) Baker of Holstein, IA; sister-in-law Sharon Courter of Belleville, MI; numerous extended family and friends.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Goldie Palm; his first wife Beverly Palm; a daughter in infancy; brothers-in-law Bob Courter and Jack Baker; sister-in-law Faye (Jim) Wellendorf.