Kent Douglas Walters

Kent Douglas Walters, of Audubon, IA passed away on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 after reaching the age of 78 years and 5 months old. After months of failing health, he died peacefully within his home surrounded by his beloved family.

Kent was born on May 6, 1943 to Henry and B. Flay (Searls) Walters at his grandparent Searls' home. In July of 1943, he was baptized at the Presbyterian Church in Audubon. Kent attended rural schools in the Audubon area until 5th grade when he started school at the Audubon Elementary School, graduating with the class of 1961. After graduation, he was enlisted in the Air Force. He was stationed in Albuquerque, NM after completing his training. Kent became a Buck Sergeant (a Senior Airman considered very reliable and treated like a sergeant or non- commissioned officer). He served in the Vietnam War where he was stationed in Thailand and Taiwan. Kent was honorably discharged after four years of service. Kent went on to study at Wayne College School of Business in Nebraska before heading to Colorado where he did concrete work for a short time. He eventually ended up in Arizona where he became the co-owner of his own business, “The Mustangs”, doing concrete foundations. While in Arizona, Kent was most proud of the earth home and barn he built with his dad.

Kent always dreamed of farming his own land and starting a lumber business. In 1988, Kent sold his business in Arizona and moved back to Iowa where he purchased an acreage and farmland in Audubon County. Kent farmed the land from 1988-1993. In 1994 he purchased a sawmill and built a kiln in his barn. From there, he began cutting and drying hardwood. This became known as Circle K Lumber.

In October of 1993, he ran into an old school mate, Marlene (Jorgensen) Murray as she was working at the Handy Shop in Audubon. Kent and Marlene began their adventure together shortly after this. On May 11, 1997 Kent married the love of his life. Kent’s life would forever be changed by this union as he became one of the greatest stepdads to Marlene’s adult children, Tony, Rick and Chris and special niece, Shawn. He was a great role model for them. Most importantly, Kent’s biggest honor was when he was called “Grandpa” (Great-Grandpa). Oh, what an awesome Grandpa he was to all, human and puppy grandkids alike. If you were a grandchild of Kent, you would often hear “Don’t you eat that” at the dinner table. It was his way to get his grandkids to eat, and it worked. Grandpa (Grandma) always took time for their grandkids and making it fun on the farm for all them.

While Kent and Marlene did not have a human child of their own, they had the privilege of raising their beloved dog and Kent’s best friend, Chip for eighteen years. Kent’s greatest joy in the morning was taking a break from his workshop so he and Chip could road trip to town for a Casey’s donut.

From the time Kent purchased the acreage until May 2021, he was always working with wood, making various items and building large projects. Marlene was alongside him in a lot of his endeavors. His most loved projects were the building of three cabins, his small western town, wooden toys, and any projects for his family. He once took the wood from an old shed and turned it into a beautiful bar area for a family member. In the summer of 2020, Kent completed a wrap-around deck with a roof for Marlene and his new house all on his own. Kent was a very talented man.

Alongside woodworking, Kent also enjoyed visiting state parks and traveling to the wonders of the U.S. of A. The Allis-Chalmers was his tractor of choice, and he had restored several of them himself. Marlene and Kent were very well known at Rancho Grande. They could simply walk in the door, sit down, and the waiters would have his cheese enchilada (Kent’s favorite) to them in seconds. Kent also enjoyed going to Darrell’s Place to share a tenderloin or chicken strips with pea salad (Oh, how he loved their pea salad) with his wife.

Kent was very much his own person, somewhat shy, but he cared very deeply for all. He never put himself first, always wanting to help the “little guy” when he could. He had so much love for all his family and friends.

Kent’s wish is to be laid to rest by his grandparent Walters at Poplar Cemetery and be “FREE”, for he loved the land of the country as much as he loved his wife and Kent always told his wife he will be waiting for her on the other side of the moon”. (Another wish from Kent to his wife Marlene was to have the song “Just Beyond the Moon” by Tex Ritter at his service, this can be heard on the Memorial Video)

Preceding him in death was his parents; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, H.P., Sr. and Carrie Jorgensen; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: H.P., Jr, and wife Jane Jorgensen, Geneva and husband Laverne Krauel, Lloyd Jorgensen, Yvonne and husband Keith Staples, John and wife Audrey Jorgensen, Gordon Welch, Nadine Jorgensen, Patricia Schurer, Sharlene and husband Mike Jensen; and his beloved dog and best friend, Chip.

Survivors include his wife, Marlene Walters of Audubon, IA; his children: Tony (Kim) Murray of East Earl, PA, Rick (Lynne) Murray of Omaha, NE, Chris (Paul) Daniel of Lidderdale, IA, and Shawn (Dave) Kitt of Audubon; his grandchildren and great grandchildren: Ashley (Alan) Beiler and their children Gavin, Jaden, Kailyn and Brooklyn of East Earl, PA, Amber Murray and her children Mason and Dalton of East Earl, PA, Candise (Josh) Schmitz and their children Kaeden, Bryce, Adisyn, Ryah and Jerzey of Avoca, IA, Kyli (Matthew) Ware of Glidden, IA, Luke Heller of Vietnam, Jonah Kitt of Des Moines, IA, Ravyn Kitt and significant other Kyle both of Ankeny, IA, his sister, Peggy (Alvin) Grabill of Audubon; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Franklin (Carol) Jorgensen of Audubon, Virginia (Norbert) Stoberl of Manning, IA, Beatrice Welch of Audubon, Darvin Jorgensen of Exira; Shirley Jorgensen of Audubon, and Mick Schurer of Lawrence, KS, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 10:30 A.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon with Pastor Kathy Kluis officiating. Inurnment will be in the Poplar Cemetery north of Kimballton, IA at 2:00 P.M. with full military honors conducted by the Audubon Post No. 120, American Legion and the Dale Christensen Post No. 4119, V.F.W. The family will meet with friends Saturday morning from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the service at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon. The honorary urn bearers will be: Tony Murray, Paul Daniel, Dave Kitt, and Alvin Grabill. The urn bearers will be: Rick Murray and Kent’s grandchildren: Ashley, Candise, Luke, Amber, Kyli, Jonah, Ravyn, Gavin, Jaden, Kaeden, Bryce, Mason, Adisyn, Kailyn, Dalton, Ryah, Jerzey, and Brooklyn.