Kenneth Kokenge

Kenneth “Kenny” Kokenge, age 62, of Carroll, Iowa, died Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M., Monday, March 9, 2009, at Holy Spirit Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Father Timothy Johnson. The casket will be taken to the church at 8:30 A.M. Monday to lie in state until the time of the funeral mass. Lector will be a brother, David Kokenge. Gift Bearers will be sisters, Connie Tunning and Kristy Mansen. Soloist will be Sara Wilburn. Eucharistic Minister will be Maxine Von Tersch. Honorary Pallbearers will be Sam Louderback and Scott March. Casket Bearers will be sons, Tim Hilburn, John Hilburn, Tom Kokenge, Tyler Kokenge, Keith Kokenge, and Cory Kokenge. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll. Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 2:30 P.M. Sunday. A rosary will be prayed at 4 P.M. Sunday. There will be a Christian wake service at 7 P.M. Sunday by Holy Spirit Parish. Mr. Kokenge was born on September 30, 1946, at Carroll, Iowa, the son of Lawrence and Florence (Steffes) Kokenge. He spent his lifetime in the Carroll community and attended St. Joseph School and Kuemper High School. He was employed as a heavy equipment operator for the H.F. Schroeder and Sons Construction Company and from 1978 until his retirement in 2008 he was employed by the Carroll County Solid Waste Management Commission. On June 17, 1996, he was married to Roberta “Bobbie” Hilburn in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Kokenge dearly loved spending time with his grandchildren, family, and friends, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing cards. Survivors include his wife, Roberta “Bobbie” Kokenge of Carroll; his children, Jackie Adkins and her husband Chris of Bagley, Shelley Maloney of Carroll, Amy Kokenge of Carroll, Tom Kokenge and his special friend Missy of Manilla, Tyler Kokenge and his special friend Sheryl of Ames, Keith Kokenge and his special friend Autumn of Grand Junction, Cory Kokenge of Grand Junction, Tim Hilburn and his special friend Rita of Omaha, Nebr., Cindy March and her husband Scott of Schleswig, and John Hilburn of Carroll; twenty grandchildren; his mother, Florence Kokenge of Carroll; brothers, Jerry Kokenge and his wife Gayle of Carroll, David Kokenge and his wife Mary of Council Bluffs, and Danny Kokenge and his wife Laura of Milford, Ohio; and sisters, Nancy Graff and her husband Bruce of Henderson, Nev., Joanie Olson and her husband Les of Orlando, Florida, Connie Tunning and her husband Dick of Dedham, Deanna Fasbender and her husband Riley of Mesa, Ariz., Luwana Hass and her special friend Michael Ross of Carroll, and Kristy Mansen and her husband Brad of Mt. Carmel. He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Kokenge; father and mother-in-law, John and Henrietta Schaben; sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Bob Merritt; grandson, Devin Adkins; granddaughter, Bianna Hilburn; and nephews, Josh Tunning and David Siepker.

Kenneth Kokenge

September 30, 1946 - March 4, 2009