Kenny Hess

Kenneth Herman Hess, the son of Herman and Blanche Elsberry Hess, was born June 27, 1936, at his parents’ home in Shelby County, southwest of Jacksonville, Iowa, and died August 18, 2025, at the Audubon Friendship home at the age of 89. He was one of eight children born into this union.

Kenny went to school in Jackson Township #9. His teachers were his sisters, June and Dorothy. He graduated 8th grade in 1949. He used to walk to school, and yes, it was uphill both ways in the country!

Kenny was married to Judith Kay Henriksen on September 24, 1955, at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, IA. They lived in Audubon, IA, for a short time before moving to the countryside west of Audubon in 1971, so far west that the mailbox was in Shelby County! They farmed together until August 1980. Kenny worked at Emmert Manufacturing until 1977, then at Southside Welding until 1994; finally, he worked at William’s Welding until he retired in 2006. On July 2, 1989, at the Little Brown Church in Vail, Iowa, Kenny was united in marriage to Rose Mary (Campbell). Together, they created a family they dearly loved. Kenny and Rose Mary lived on the farm till 2021, when Kenny moved to Audubon. Kenny always enjoyed visitors, especially when his granddaughter Khloe came for a visit.

Kenny was preceded in death by his wife first wife, Judith Kay Hess; his daughter Jennifer Jean Hess; his parents Herman and Blanche Hess; his five brothers Dale, Gerald, Wayne, Lyle, and Verdell, and his two sisters June and Dorthy; and his granddaughter Chelsy Hess. He was the last of his generation. Brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Connie Rustvold; brother-in-law, James Campbell; parents-in-law, Art and June Campbell; great-niece Katrina Williamson; his aunt and uncle, Roseanne and Harold Johnson; and his Uncle, Dean Hollister.

He leaves to mourn his passing, wife Rose Mary Hess of Des Moines, Iowa; son Glenn and Kim Hess of Leavenworth, Kansas; son Keith and Debbi Hess of Anaconda, Montana; daughter Cathy and Jon Noon of Walnut, Iowa; son Jesse and Elsie Hess of Lorimor, Iowa; stepchildren Kevin Simms of Audubon, IA, and Gretchen Simms of Des Moines; Grandchildren: Kelly and Fred Livesay of Pleasantville, Iowa; Kendra and Brandon Ackerman of Woodward, Iowa; Lee and Jordan Hess of Grimes, Iowa; Kyler and Emilie Hess of Polk City, Iowa; Tiffany and Paul Reece of Ogden, Iowa; Shawn and Jill Nissen of Jefferson, Iowa; Christian and Rachel Noon of Lake Oswego, Oregon; Justin and Abbey Noon of Olathe, Kansas; Jason and Iris Noon of Upton, Massachusetts; Ashley Jones of Manilla, Iowa; Brittany Grandfield of Papillion, Nebraska; Abby Hess of Manilla, Iowa; Arrabelle Hess of Lorimor, IA, Khloe Simms of Des Moines, Iowa; Great-grandchildren: Kaleb and Breanna Ackerman; Henry, Zac, Jack, Graham, Elsie, Leo, and Ivy Noon; Lawrence, Lovelle, and Leorah Jones; June and Wyatt Grandfield; Bentley and Waylon Smith; Kael and Isla Hess; Kyson, Landry, Tealynn, and Everett Hess; Scott and Keaton Westberg; Tori Alexander; Lucas and Liam Nissen; Great-great grandchildren: Kolten and Amelia Ackerman; Brielle Ackerman; Sister-in-law, LaVonne Campbell of Audubon; and Several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, other family members and dear friends.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, August 25, 2025, at the Audubon Church of Christ with Pastor Heath Hansen officiating the service. Interment will take place following the funeral at Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. A luncheon will be held following the burial in the Fellowship Hall of the Audubon Church of Christ.

Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the funeral on Monday at the Audubon Church of Christ.

Memorials may be directed to the Kenny Hess Family, to be designated at a later date in honor of Kenny. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Audubon.