Kenneth Richard “Dick” Edwards, age 91, of Storm Lake, Iowa and formerly of Alta, passed away on February 25, 2017, at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake where he resided.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Alta. Burial will follow in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Dick, the son of Russell and Helen (Renshaw) Edwards, was born on April 26, 1925 in Storm Lake, Iowa.  He grew up on a farm near Storm Lake and attended the Storm Lake High, graduating in 1943. 

After graduation, he was drafted into the United States Navy on July 23, 1943. He trained to be an Aviation Electrician, serving during World War II in Hawaii and San Diego, California, being honorably discharged on April 4, 1946. 

Dick attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake and Iowa State University at Ames, Iowa in 1946 where he studied electrical engineering.  He also served as a volunteer fireman for the Storm Lake Fire Department during this time.

In 1948, Dick was united in marriage to Celesta Allen of Storm Lake, and this union was blessed with four children: Carol, Bruce, Janet and Joan.  Following their marriage they moved to a farm northwest of Storm Lake and were engaged in farming until his retirement in 1987. 

Dick was a faithful member of the Storm Lake United Methodist Church and later became a member of the Alta United Methodist Church where he served on several committees.  Church and family were an important part of Dick’s life.  He had also belonged to the Truesdale Farmer’s Club.

Throughout his lifetime, Dick enjoyed being in the outdoors, fishing, camping and gardening.  When he wasn’t outdoors, you could find him playing cards, doing jigsaw puzzles, collecting stamps and coins, square dancing, and spending time with his family.

On September 6, 2008, Dick married Arlene Raveling.  They enjoyed traveling and spending the winter months in Apache Junction, Arizona where they made new lifelong friendships.  One of Dick’s most favorite pastimes was visiting with his many friends and family.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Carol (Doug) Lee of Knoxville, Tennessee; Bruce (Diane) Edwards of Alta, Iowa; Janet (Jon) Johnson of Petersburg, Minnesota; and Joan (Ed) Downey of West Des Moines, Iowa; 13 grandchildren: Richard (Patty), Kirsten (Chris), Kerry (Susan), Kurt (Leah) Kris (Rachel), Kyle (Sheila), Jenny (Neil), Jason, Jasmond (Taia), Christine (Brandon), Katie, Anna, and Elizabeth; 19 great grandchildren: Coraline, Sabastian, Matthew, Miles, Adley, Hannah, Heidi, Hope, Liam, Cameron, Griffin, Audrey, Marissa, Trenton, Alex, Amelia, Emma, Coulton and Isabel; sister-in-law, Viola Allen of Aurelia, Iowa; other extended family and many friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Celesta and his wife, Arlene (Raveling) Edwards; and grandson, Stephen Downey.

Memorials may be given in Dick’s name to the Alta United Methodist Church.

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