Kenneth LeRoy Schiermeyer, Lawrence, Nebaska, was called peacefully to his eternal resting place with Christ on Sept.12, 2024. His funeral was at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, at Salem Lutheran Church, rural Superior, with the Rev. Ronald Kuehner and the Rev. Fred L. Berry, Jr. officiating. Burial was in Salem Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation was one hour before the funeral. Memorials may be directed to the Lawrence Community Center Building Fund. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.mertenbutler mortuary.com. Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebraska, was in charge of arrangements.
Ken was born March 5, 1932, on the farm between Nelson and Superior. He was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Superior. He attended Fairview School first grade through ninth. Ken graduated from Nelson High School in 1949. He worked for Dale Adamson on his farm and then for Floyd Vires at the Nora elevator. Ken was burned in a dust explosion at the elevator and spent six weeks in the hospital with severe burns. From there he went to Lincoln where he worked at the penitentiary and attended UNL in accounting. In 1955, Joan VanBoening winked at him at a dance and he knew he'd met the love of his life. They were married May 13, 1956. Ken continued working at the penitentiary until they moved to Nelson in 1958, where he worked for Claire Wilson running a mobile feed mill.
In August of 1958, their first daughter, Jennifer Kay, was born. Shortly after, in 1959, they moved to Guide Rock where Ken managed the Farmers Union Elevator. In April of 1961, Ken and Joan welcomed their second daughter, Deborah Jo. Ken continued to work in Guide Rock until they moved to Nelson and he began to manage the elevator there. In January, 1966, their third child, a son, Matthew Todd, was born.
1968 brought a big change when Ken took his family to Rochelle, Illinois, where he was a salesman for Anchor Serum. He was successful, even winning an award for salesman of the month. Missing Nebraska, they moved back in 1969 to Wood River where Ken was a salesman for Cooper Feeds. In 1970, Ken was offered the manager job at the Lawrence Co-op so they moved again to Lawrence.
In 1972, Ken, along with Al Rempe, started a joint venture when they bought T and S Service and changed the name to Ken and Al's with the motto "Service with a Smile." The station was a full service stop with the gasoline pumped for you, your windows washed and the oil checked. During the years, Al and Ken owned the station, they added four other service stations: Blue Hill, Glenvil, Fairfield and Superior.
In 1995, Ken retired and sold the stations to the managers. He couldn't stay idle for long and went to work part time as an insurance adjuster for Farm Bureau.
Ken and Joan enjoyed several years snowbirding to Dewey, Arizona. Ken and Joan had many friends and were a part of a pitch card club that has been playing together since 1956 with whom so many great times, laughs and trips were had. He was an avid Huster football fan and proud ticket holder since 1966. He enjoyed golfing, coin collecting, gardening, playing cards and being surrounded by his many friends and loving family.
Ken was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church his entire life, serving as a council member and usher.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, WHF and Minnie Schiermeyer; his six siblings; and his son, Matthew Todd.
He is survived by wife, Joan; daughter, Jennifer Inman (Jeff), daughter Deborah Van Boening (Tom), daughter-in-law Jennifer (Lipovsky), special dear-to-his-heart niece Kailey Klein (Keith), grandchildren Jessica Buckley (Mike), Melissa Jacobsen, Jillian Jacobsen, Rachel Torson (John), Eli Van Boening (Taberie), Jacob Van Boening, Grant Schiermeyer (Maddie), Alexia Schiermeyer and Dillon Schiermeyer; seven great-grandchildren; special great-niece and nephew Erika and Noah; and many nieces and nephews and multitudes of friends. Ken was a much loved and respected member of his community.
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