In Memory of Kenneth R. Thornhill

Kenneth R. Thornhill, age 82, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Cherokee Specialty Care of Cherokee, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Rev. Neil Wehmas will officiate. Committal Services will take place in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa, with Military Rites conducted by the McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion of Ida Grove, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at the Christensen–Van Houten Funeral Home 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 Roger Thornhill, 82, oldest son and third born child of Vernon “Pete” Thornhill and Esther (Stamp) Thornhill, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Kenny was born on April 28, 1940, in his parents’ home in Ida Grove, Iowa. He enjoyed a wonderful small-town childhood with many friends and his loyal dog, Flopper.  

Kenny graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1958. After working in town for a year, Kenny enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1959. He served a 4-year term of enlistment as an Air Policeman in Texas, South Dakota, Washington, and Montana. After leaving the Air Force, Kenny returned to Ida Grove for a short time and then in December 1963, he began his great California adventure by moving to Los Angeles.  

He worked several jobs during his time in California. He loved to tell stories of his time as a security guard for Paramount Studios, driving an open bay delivery truck for Pepsi Cola, and tending bar. Among his fondest work memories of that time were several personal interactions with John Wayne and Robert Mitchum; sharing a “shot” with Dan Blocker who played Hoss Cartwright on “Bonanza;” and all of the nice people who were willing to lend a hand when needed. However, his greatest California story was meeting the love of his life, Ann (Small) Thornhill. Kenny and Ann were married on February 19, 1966, in Studio City, California. 

Kenny moved back to Ida Grove with his wife a year later and just prior to the birth of their only son, the pride of Kenny’s life. Kenny wanted his son to experience the same small town midwestern childhood he had. Kenny began working at Midwest Industries. In 1970, Kenny and his family briefly moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked for a wholesale carpet distributor. In September 1973 Kenny moved his family back to Ida Grove, where Ann and he owned and ran the Hillside Inn, a welcoming little bar downtown, until October 1978. Kenny also went back to work at Midwest Industries as a welder. The couple reacquired the Hillside in 1994 and operated it until again selling in 1999. Kenny retired from Midwest in 2008 after nearly 40 years of service.  

In his life Kenny enjoyed the simple pleasure of small town living, and spent his off hours working around the house, bird watching, and spending time with family and friends. Beginning in 1998, Kenny took on the title of grandpa when the first of his three grandsons was born.  Kenny beamed with pride whenever he talked about his son and grandsons. He enjoyed playing with his grandsons and attending their events when they were young, but he received the most joy by watching them all grow into extraordinary young adults.  

Kenny is survived by his wife of 57 years Ann Thornhill of Ida Grove, IA; his son Ian (Paula) Thornhill of Cedar Rapids, IA; his grandsons Bennett (Cedar Rapids, IA), Camden (Iowa City, IA) and Donovan (Kings Point, NY); sister Sandra Olberding (Spencer, IA); brother Michael (Robin) Thornhill (Ida Grove, IA), brothers-in-law Darrell Bennigsdorf (Ida Grove, IA) and Jeff Cranston (Odebolt, IA); several nieces and nephews and their extended families.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Marlene, Debora, and Dorothy; brothers-in-law Henry Small, Vern Olberding, and Steve Brown; and in-laws Dominick and Annie Small.