Hurley, Kenneth Joseph

On April 7, 1945, a pair of sparkly Irish eyes entered the world. The sparkly, devilish eyes were those of Kenneth Joseph Hurley, the third of six children of John "Joe" and Alice (Seybert) Hurley of rural Volga, Iowa. The first eight years of Ken’s education were at St. Joseph Catholic School, Elkader; two years at Volga High School; his last two years at Elkader High School. Ken was united in marriage to Rosalyn Walz at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Strawberry Point, Iowa, on June 7, 1965. Two daughters were born to this union. Ken was a journeyman electrician, having worked thirty-six years at Donaldson Co., Oelwein, Iowa. After the plant closed in March of 2000, he worked at the Natural Resources and Conservation Services in Elkader and for Palas Fencing in Volga. Throughout his life, Ken farmed part-time. A life-time volunteer, Ken actively and passionately served his church, community, and beyond. In his church, Ken was a lector, religious education instructor, member of the parish council, member of the Knights of Columbus, and president of the Archdiocesan Council. As a supportive co-worker, Ken was a member of UAW Local 1165, in which he was president for several years. The local community was especially blessed by Ken, as he was a member of the Volga town council as well as the Volga Community Club, assisting at any event. As a devout fireman and EMT, he served as training officer. Even years after he climbed over the Pearly Gates, thousands of eyes still sparkle as they smile in remembrance of how Kenny touched them with his sense of humor, vibrant spirit, exemplary ways, and all of his shenanigans. Ken’s lifelong helping spirit combined with his innate tendency as a shenanigan instigator. Upon purchasing the old Standard gas station to use as a repair/tinkering shop, it soon became popular not only as a social gathering and a project drop-off, but also a “shenanigan spin-off.” One among many frequent recipients of Ken’s shenanigans was Ronnie Nelson of rural Volga. Ronnie was renowned to make several trips to town simply to keep up with CURRENT events. One evening, as Ken was tinkering outside his shop, he observed Ronnie pulling a wagon full of corn into town and parking it along the side of the grocery store. After noticing Ronnie being picked up by his wife to return home, and assuming Ronnie’s intention was to come back in the morning to pull the wagon the short block to the co-op, Ken walked across the street and pulled the pin out of the wagon hitch. So, when Ronnie returned to pull the wagon the next morning, the wagon did not follow the tractor! That evening, Ronnie made a special trip to Volga solely to give a royal chewing to the “blond-headed, blue-eyed, ### Hurley!” Of course, Ken’s family -- wife, Rosalyn, Volga; two daughters, Rebecca Lynn (Scott) Rentschler, and Kimberly Jo Hurley; and two grandchildren, Bryton Boone Rentschler and Courtlyn Rose Rentschler – have had the most in-depth knowledge of Kenny Hurley’s shenanigans, although they are still hearing more and more stories from narrators who have sparkles in their eyes!