Kenneth R. Ness

Kenneth R. Ness age 94, of Litchfield died on Tuesday, November 26, 2013, at the Emmanuel Home in Litchfield. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 2, 2013, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Ness Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. Kenneth Roger Ness, the son of Oscar and Louise (Roberg) Ness, was born January 24, 1919, in Litchfield Township on the family farm. He was baptized and confirmed at the Ness Lutheran Church and attended country school at District #8. He was a member of the Star Lake 4-H Club and in 1935 he received the Minnesota State Grand Champion for his pen of turkeys at the Junior Livestock Show in St. Paul which earned him a trip to the International Livestock Show in Chicago. He worked on the family farm until entering the army on January 23, 1942, taking his basic training at Fort Knox Kentucky. He immediately went overseas with the 762 tank Battalion. He spent his entire time during WWII in the Pacific Theater attaining the rank of Sergeant, Commander of a Sherman Tank. He was discharged on October 11, 1945, and returned to farming with his father. Upon returning from service he joined the Admiral Benson VFW Post #2818 where he helped organize an honor guard for those killed in WWII and had helped to provided honors for over 700 veterans. He served as post commander in 1949-50 and was elected post chaplain in 1957, a position he served as for 53 years. Kenneth was the first life member of the post. He also served as Chaplain of the Sixth District VFW for 25 years and was the National Home Chairman during this time. He was also a life member of the Nelsan-Horton Legion Post # 104 where he held various offices including Chaplain, the Meeker County WWII Last Man's Club, Sons of Norway and Meeker County Historical Society. He was an active member of the Ness Lutheran Church and held various offices until it closed in 1968. He was treasurer of the Ness Memorial Cemetery Association for over 30 years. He was currently a member of Zion Lutheran Church. On November 6, 1976 he married Eloise Johnson of Buffalo, they farmed the Ness family farm in Litchfield Township until retiring in 1993 and moving into Litchfield. He is survived by his step-son Lawrence (Kerri) Johnson of California; niece, Nancy (John) Nicklasson of Litchfield; nephews, Richard (special friend Alanna Russell) Carlson of New Prague, Marshall (Raeann) Carlson of Litchfield, Larry (Trula) Carlson of Berlin, WI, Carleton Carlson of Long Beach, CA, and Daniel (Paulette) Carlson of Dassel; cousin, Lorraine Bengson of Litchfield, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and sisters Lucille Carlson and Marguerite Carlson.Previous Events Visitation Monday, December 2, 2013 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Monday, December 2, 2013 11:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355