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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Kenneth Lee Eitzen
Kenneth Lee
Eitzen
Nov 22, 1923 — Feb 7, 2017
Fairview
Kenneth Lee Eitzen's Obituary
Funeral Services for Kenneth Lee Eitzen, 93, of Fairview, will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2017 at the Mennonite Brethren Church in Fairview, Oklahoma. The Reverend Marlin Hiett will officiate. Burial will follow in the South M. B. Cemetery, near Fairview. Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.
Visitation with the family will be Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Fairview Funeral Home Inc.
Kenneth Lee Eitzen was born November 22, 1923 on a farm northwest of Peabody, KS, the oldest of five children born to Abraham B. and Rubena Hein Eitzen. Two and a half years later they moved by freight train to a farm near Homestead, OK. Here Wesley, Gene, Mary Elois and Bob were born and grew up, learning the discipline of honest work in a loving Christian home.
First through eighth grades were spent at Independence School, located near their home. Kenneth then attended Homestead High School, graduating in 1941. After graduating from high school, Kenneth attended Tabor College and graduated with an Associate of Arts degree.
On August 3, 1943, Kenneth entered the army of the United States of America. After training in the U.S., entered Europe at Omaha Beach, Normandy on June 8, 1944. He was assigned as a medic to the 86th Chemical Mortar Battalion and soon became part of Patton's III Army. From there he walked across France, Belgium, Germany and parts of Central Europe, including battles at the Ardenne Forest and Bastogne, helping to finally liberate Europe. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and five Bronze Service Stars.
A special woman entered Kenneth's life about the time he left for the army, Norma Jean Epp. They agreed to write each other when they were apart. This led to a marriage proposal after his return in 1945. They began their married life on March 3, 1946. These first years were spent living near Fairview where two daughters, Marilyn and Jeanette, were born. Kenneth worked at the County Treasurer's Office and farmed on the side.
In 1955 the family moved to Collinsville, OK, where Kenneth worked at the Tulsa County Treasurer's Office, the Collinsville Exchange Bank and other banks in the area as a teller for many years and was manager of the local farmer's coop for several years. He also owned some farm land. After Marilyn and Jeanette left home, Kenneth and Norma Jean lived in homes at Claremore and Owasso. They also lived in Hillsboro, KS for several years later in life but eventually came back to Fairview where they enjoyed their last days.
Church life was always a very important part of Kenneth's life. He made a commitment to the Lord and was baptized when he was thirteen years old. He became church choir director and church treasurer for most of the thirty-eight years spent at the Westport M.B. Church at Collinsville. He was also involved in the deacon ministry. In these later years, Kenneth volunteered help for the Awana program. He was a member of the Gideons, Lions Club, and Fairview Fellowship Home Board of Directors.
Family always brought joy to Kenneth's life. He loved to have their grandchildren come visit and take them to do special things. He provided a place in Pagosa Springs, Colorado where family members could enjoy a summer vacation
Kenneth and Norman Jean celebrated 63 years of marriage before the Lord called her home in March, 2009. Kenneth missed her greatly but filled his time with social activities at the Fairview Fellowship Village where he lived. He lived an active full live for 93 years until he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia several weeks ago. His health declined rapidly, leaving him bedfast for the last few weeks of his life. He entered peacefully into his eternal rest February 7, 2017.
We will greatly miss the kind words, deeds, gentle mannerisms and encouraging and positive outlook on life of our dear father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law and uncle. Those of us who entrust him to God's great mercy and lovingkindness are his daughters, Marilyn and husband Don Ratzlaff of Hillsboro and Jeanette and husband John Glasgow of Altus, OK; nine grandchildren: Tamara and husband Ed Burns, Kristin and husband Matt Kennedy, Monica and husband Chris Redman, Trent Glasgow, Brenda and husband Vernon Pyles, Bri Ratzlaff, Lance Glasgow, Brandon and wife Afton Ratlaff and Paige and husband Monty Bentley; 19 great-grandchildren, and three brothers, Wesley, Gene (Stella), and Bob (Jane), all of Fairview.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.
We would like to thank everyone who prayed for Kenneth in these last weeks of his life and those who lovingly cared for him-the staff of Fairview Fellowship Home and Faith Hospice.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon's International or to Fairview Fellowship Home with Fairview Funeral Home Inc. acting as custodian.
Visitation with the family will be Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Fairview Funeral Home Inc.
Kenneth Lee Eitzen was born November 22, 1923 on a farm northwest of Peabody, KS, the oldest of five children born to Abraham B. and Rubena Hein Eitzen. Two and a half years later they moved by freight train to a farm near Homestead, OK. Here Wesley, Gene, Mary Elois and Bob were born and grew up, learning the discipline of honest work in a loving Christian home.
First through eighth grades were spent at Independence School, located near their home. Kenneth then attended Homestead High School, graduating in 1941. After graduating from high school, Kenneth attended Tabor College and graduated with an Associate of Arts degree.
On August 3, 1943, Kenneth entered the army of the United States of America. After training in the U.S., entered Europe at Omaha Beach, Normandy on June 8, 1944. He was assigned as a medic to the 86th Chemical Mortar Battalion and soon became part of Patton's III Army. From there he walked across France, Belgium, Germany and parts of Central Europe, including battles at the Ardenne Forest and Bastogne, helping to finally liberate Europe. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and five Bronze Service Stars.
A special woman entered Kenneth's life about the time he left for the army, Norma Jean Epp. They agreed to write each other when they were apart. This led to a marriage proposal after his return in 1945. They began their married life on March 3, 1946. These first years were spent living near Fairview where two daughters, Marilyn and Jeanette, were born. Kenneth worked at the County Treasurer's Office and farmed on the side.
In 1955 the family moved to Collinsville, OK, where Kenneth worked at the Tulsa County Treasurer's Office, the Collinsville Exchange Bank and other banks in the area as a teller for many years and was manager of the local farmer's coop for several years. He also owned some farm land. After Marilyn and Jeanette left home, Kenneth and Norma Jean lived in homes at Claremore and Owasso. They also lived in Hillsboro, KS for several years later in life but eventually came back to Fairview where they enjoyed their last days.
Church life was always a very important part of Kenneth's life. He made a commitment to the Lord and was baptized when he was thirteen years old. He became church choir director and church treasurer for most of the thirty-eight years spent at the Westport M.B. Church at Collinsville. He was also involved in the deacon ministry. In these later years, Kenneth volunteered help for the Awana program. He was a member of the Gideons, Lions Club, and Fairview Fellowship Home Board of Directors.
Family always brought joy to Kenneth's life. He loved to have their grandchildren come visit and take them to do special things. He provided a place in Pagosa Springs, Colorado where family members could enjoy a summer vacation
Kenneth and Norman Jean celebrated 63 years of marriage before the Lord called her home in March, 2009. Kenneth missed her greatly but filled his time with social activities at the Fairview Fellowship Village where he lived. He lived an active full live for 93 years until he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia several weeks ago. His health declined rapidly, leaving him bedfast for the last few weeks of his life. He entered peacefully into his eternal rest February 7, 2017.
We will greatly miss the kind words, deeds, gentle mannerisms and encouraging and positive outlook on life of our dear father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law and uncle. Those of us who entrust him to God's great mercy and lovingkindness are his daughters, Marilyn and husband Don Ratzlaff of Hillsboro and Jeanette and husband John Glasgow of Altus, OK; nine grandchildren: Tamara and husband Ed Burns, Kristin and husband Matt Kennedy, Monica and husband Chris Redman, Trent Glasgow, Brenda and husband Vernon Pyles, Bri Ratzlaff, Lance Glasgow, Brandon and wife Afton Ratlaff and Paige and husband Monty Bentley; 19 great-grandchildren, and three brothers, Wesley, Gene (Stella), and Bob (Jane), all of Fairview.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.
We would like to thank everyone who prayed for Kenneth in these last weeks of his life and those who lovingly cared for him-the staff of Fairview Fellowship Home and Faith Hospice.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon's International or to Fairview Fellowship Home with Fairview Funeral Home Inc. acting as custodian.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
Funeral Services for Kenneth Lee Eitzen
Funeral Service
February
13
Monday
Menonote Brethren Church
10:00 - 11:30 am
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