Kenneth Meisinger

Kenneth Vincent Meisinger, Jr, 63, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Thursday, August 15, 2019, at his home in Atlantic.

Ken was born July 7, 1956, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Kenneth Vincent and Barbara Arlene (Anderson) Meisinger, Sr. He was the first child and grandchild for both sides of the family, and he was loved and given lots of attention.

He attended St. John’s Catholic School until the sixth grade and then attended Plattsmouth Community Schools, graduating in May of 1974. It was while in high school that Kenny met the new girl in town, Jacque Widle, and she eventually became his wife on November 23, 1975. The couple had two girls, Crystal and Kerry.

They lived in Plattsmouth until 1988, when they moved to Red Oak, Iowa, for Jacque’s job at Pizza Hut. A year and a half later, they moved to Atlantic, Iowa, where they have lived since.

While living in Plattsmouth, Ken worked at Ruback’s Grocery Store and for the Cass County, NE, roads department. In Atlantic, he worked at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club, Nishna Hills Golf, Sears and Aramark Publishing.

Kenneth was a volunteer member of the Plattsmouth Fire Department, as his Grandpa Ben Anderson had been before him. He was also a loyal member of the Boys Club. He played many holes of golf, went fishing and always fell in the drink/pond trying to catch the big one, and he also was in bowling leagues. Kenny loved to grill. He would be teased when he would buy a cut of meat for himself that was more than the size of a roast for a family.

Ken was a diehard Husker fan. He never had a hard time proclaiming his love for the Huskers, and always said that he bleeds RED. Moving from Nebraska to Iowa, one may have thought it would have been a challenge for a Husker fan, but not for Kenny, who made a friend wherever he would go. He never had a hard time proclaiming his love for the Huskers, regardless of where he lived. Kenny loved to cheer on his Huskers whether in person at a game or on TV. He passed on his passion and love for the Huskers to Kerry.

Some of his proudest moments were watching Brett play football, mow yards, and graduate from high school. He also loved watching Kerra WOW him with her tricks at watch weeks and recital time. To see Vinny be an outstanding Cub Scout and always wearing his heart on his sleeve like his Papa, and watching Preston be a typical younger brother and antagonize his brother.

Kenny and Jacque grew up together and proudly worked hard to raise their girls. They weathered life’s storms together and even through the bad storms, they would find a way to make each other laugh. He passed his love for family and cleaning to both girls, as well as the values of being on time, getting your work done, the need to never be caught in public looking less than perfect, taking time to play, and to always talk to people. Kenny loved his girls… but one of the best days of his life came when his first grandson, Brett, was born. Kenny finally had his boy and he called him “My Bubba.” He was later blessed with his only granddaughter, Kerra, and she had Pogsy wrapped around her finger from day one.

Kenny must have prayed so hard for boys, because he was then blessed with two more grandsons, Vincent Meisinger, who will carry on the Meisinger name for Kenny, and then last but not least, Preston, who Kenny nicknamed the Tank.

Awaiting and preparing for a big welcoming party in heaven is Kenny’s dad, Kenneth Meisinger, Sr.; a brother, Mike Meisinger; his grandparents, Harvey (Grace) Meisinger and Ben (Angie) Anderson; father and mother-in-law, Jack (Mary Lou) Widle; sister-in-law, Ladonna Johnson; and many friends and family.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jacque Meisinger; daughters, Crystal (Ken) Christensen and Kerry (Jeremy) Jepsen; grandchildren, Brett and Kerra Christensen, Vincent Meisinger and Preston Jepsen; his mother, Barbara Meisinger; sister, Kathy (Joe) Algya; sister-in-law, June (Marc) Austin; brother-in-law, Wally (Katherine) Johnson; nephews, Ben (Maddie) Rimel, Mike (Keeli) Alexen, Matt (Dawn) Alexen, Marcus Alexen and Jeremiah (Kelley) Johnson; nieces, Manda Watson and Gina Johnson; aunts, Diane Anderson, Dawn Burk and Phyllis Widle; uncles, Paul Anderson and George (Bernadine) Meisinger; and many cousins and friends.

The family wishes to thank his friends and family for the prayers and support, especially to the local Boys Club for coming over to pick Kenny up every Monday and for the neighbor Donny for all the card games and talks. We love you all and can never show you just how much we appreciate all the love and care you have shown Kenny and us. Using Kenny’s own words… “Peace, baby.”

Visitation with family will be from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 18, 2019, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 19, 2019, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, Iowa.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at the Oakhill Cemetery in Plattsmouth, Nebraska.

Memorials may be left to the family’s wishes.

Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.