October 1, 1945 –  August 2, 2023

Kenneth James Doeden was born on October 1, 1945, in Sibley, Iowa to George and Martha (Van Westen) Doeden. Kenny grew up around Sibley with his parents and two siblings. He learned to work construction and farm from his father. He had a passion for farming and decided to drop out of high school after eighth grade. He raised a little hell, but in November 1965 he was drafted into the Army. He served a tour in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. 

He was united in marriage to Joyce Lorraine Harders on April 11, 1969. It was the beginning of a 54-year journey that was filled with struggles, triumphs and so much love. The couple had eight children, losing their twins at birth. They lived in several places between Sibley and Ocheyedan, Iowa, until 1983 when they moved to Woodstock, Minn. Their final move was in 1990 when the family moved to Slayton, Minn.

Through the years, Kenny and Joyce worked hard together farming. They taught their children the value of hard work and sticking together. In 1994, Kenny started doing concrete and construction work with his sons. Starting in 1999, Kenny, along with two sons, started working on inventing his slat replacer machine. Many hours were spent sitting on a pail finding solutions to make the machine work. He later patented his machine, one of his proudest moments.

In 2005, Kenny was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent surgery and treatment that retired him from the day-to-day construction. However, he was still there to help problem solve and give advice. Kenny enjoyed spending time with his children, but especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren – talking to them (giving advice wanted or not) and helping them beat grandma in board games.

Kenneth died on August 2, 2023, at his home with his wife and family by his side. He is survived by his wife Joyce, his children: Pamela (Robert) Reints of Orange City, Iowa, Chad (Amy) Doeden, Janice Caster, Dennis (Jessica) Doeden of Slayton, Craig (Ashley) Doeden of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Lisa (David) Butler of Lennox, S.D., 14 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 3 step-great-grandchildren, his siblings Harlan (LeAnn) and Gloria (Edward) Kruse of Sibley, Iowa.

He is proceeded in death by his grandparents, Harm and Tillie (Kruger) Doeden and Klaas and Grace (Krull) Van Westen, his parents, George and Martha (Van Westen) Doeden, his in-laws, George and Hattie (Ommen) Harders, his brother, Harm Harlan Doeden, his brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Kathy Harders, his sister in-law, Karen Harders, his nephew, Thomas Harders, his sons, George Thomas and George Fredrick Doeden, and his grandson, Kaden James Doeden.