Kenneth La Von Van Heuveln Sr., April 6, 1936 • September 12, 2022
Kenneth LaVon Van Heuveln Sr, 86, of Kerkhoven, Minnesota died Monday, September 12 at his home.
His Celebration of Life service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 17 at Living Hope – Evangelical Free Church in Willmar. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 p.m., Friday at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and continue one hour prior to his service at the church. Burial will be at Evangelical Free Cemetery in Kerkhoven. Memorials are preferred. www.hafh.org
Kenneth LaVon Van Heuveln Sr. was born April 6, 1936, to Richard and Josephine (Schmidt) Van Heuveln in Union Grove Township, Meeker County. He was baptized and later confirmed at First Covenant Church in Willmar. Ken grew up on his family’s farm in St. John’s Township, where at an early age learned a hard work ethic. He helped milk cows and take care of pigs along with many other daily chores. Ken attended country school in rural Pennock before attending Willmar High School.
July 7, 1956, Ken was united in marriage to Joyce Arlene Hanen at the Benson Baptist Church. They lived briefly at a cottage on Eagle Lake before making their home on their farm in Kerkhoven during 1957. During this time Ken worked construction where he helped build multiple schools and also the State Hospital in Willmar. He later worked for John Heidi with Plumbing and Heating. Ken later started Van Heuveln Farm Drainage in 1972. He enjoyed working along side his wife and children and passing down his work ethic. He had some of his children working in a backhoe at 10 years old! Ken loved working and would continue to work his entire life.
Ken is survived by his wife, Joyce of Kerkhoven; children: Dude (Bev) Van Heuveln of Murdock, Keith (Marlyce) Van Heuveln of Kerkhoven, Kevin (Kim) Van Heuveln of Pennock and Kay (Bob) Van Heuveln of Kerkhoven; 20 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren and a brother, Rich (Eileen) Van Heuveln of Fridley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister.
