Kenneth Goodenow, Sr

Kenneth Leroy Goodenow Sr.

1943-2022

     Kenneth passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday March 27, 2022, at Kearney Regional Hospital.

     Kenneth was born on February 7, 1943, in Hawthorne California to Melvin and Neoma (Clark) Goodenow.  After his mother’s death a month later, his father moved the family back to Nebraska where he was raised on the Garfield Table.  His father having three young children and Kenneth an infant would leave them with their Aunt Edith while he was at work. Kenneth’s aunt began to bond with him. At one point Kenneth’s uncle Harry and aunt Edith asked his father if they could keep him.  After much thought he decided that it was the best thing to do.  He attended a small country school through the eighth grade, then going on to graduate from Stapleton Public School in 1961.

     Shortly after graduation he moved to Denver where he met the love of his life, Katherine Mary McAnulty. They were married on August 28, 1964.  Through this union they had three children Kenneth L. Goodenow Jr., Kevin C. Goodenow, and Katrina A. (Goodenow) Lopez.

Kenneth had a couple of different jobs before moving his family back to the family farm in 1978.  He took a position working for the city of North Platte where he stayed until he retired in 2013.  In 1995 he and his wife moved to North Platte to be closer to his job. A few years after he retired, they moved to Arnold to be closer to their son where he lived until his death.

     Kenneth and Katherine loved to travel, taking the grandchildren with them across the western United States visiting many historical sites like Custer’s Last Stand, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park and many other destinations. His son took him to a few Denver Broncos games through the years which he enjoyed until he was unable to sit in the stadium seats because of his back problems.

     He loved the mountains and the smell of the pine and campfires. Estes Park and the Black Hills were just a couple of places he liked to vacation.

     Even though his health was in decline for many years he still went camping with his family to the Black Hills as recently as last Labor Day weekend.

     He and his son would go for a drive just about every Wednesday after his doctor’s appointment and just reminisce about time gone by and future plans.

On one of their last outings, he was asking when are we going back to the Black Hills? 

     Kenneth enjoyed fishing, camping, playing his guitar and singing with his grandchildren, reading, and spending time with family. He read The Blizzard of 49 many many times throughout his life, but his favorite book was the Bible.

     One thing that anyone who knew Kenneth, is that he was famous for telling jokes that would keep you laughing though out the day.

     Preceded in death by Father Melvin Goodenow, Mother Neoma (Clark) Goodenow, Uncle Harry Goodenow, Aunt Edith Goodenow, Son Kevin Goodenow Sisters Charlotte (Goodenow) Vande Vegt, Vicki (Goodenow) Maestas, Doris Goodenow, Brother Melvin Goodenow, Half Brother Jerry Goodenow, and Stepbrother Larry Toillion, 10 sleeping great grandchildren, and many aunts, uncles, and other family.

     Survivor’s, Wife Katherine (McAnulty) Goodenow, Son Kenneth (Patricia) Goodenow all of Arnold, Daughter Katrina (Goodenow) Lopez of Holdrege, Nephew Steven Turney, Grandsons Kenneth (Allison) Goodenow 3^rd of Arnold, Brandon (Mandy) Goodenow of Kearney, Granddaughters Vanessa (DJ) Andre, of Kearney, Christa (Goodenow) Ponce of Omaha, Brother in laws Roy (Carol) McAnulty of Denver CO, Billy Wayne McAnulty of Ephrata, WA, sister in law Vicki Johnson of North Platte, Grandson Jeremiah Lopez of Holdrege Great grandchildren Ian Smith, Taylor Smith, Brayden Smith, Chloe Smith, Trey Goodenow, Ryden Goodenow, Kayson Goodenow, Noah Andre, and Theodore Andre all of Kearney, Bo Bennet, Oli Goodenow, Kenny Goodenow VI, all of Arnold, and many nieces and nephews and other family.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at 10:00 am at the Tallin Church with Pastors Jeremy Rinke and Lee Wonch officiating. Burial will be in the Garfield Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Garfield Cemetery. A visitation will take place on Monday, April 4^th, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at the Arnold Funeral Home in Arnold. Govier Brothers Mortuary of Arnold are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com.