Kenneth G. Hartley, of White, South Dakota, passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2008, at Hendricks, Minnesota, after an extended illness. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 3, at the United Methodist Church in White, with interment and military rites at Fairview Cemetery. Visitations will be from 5-8 P.M. Tuesday at Eidsness Funeral Chapel in White, with a public Masonic service at 8:00 P.M.. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church in White.
Kenneth was born on May 26, 1916 in White, South Dakota. He was the son of Ben and Blanche (Tyler) Hartley. He attended Afton #15 Elementary School and White High School, where he graduated in 1934.
Kenneth farmed with his family until he enlisted in the Army in January of 1942. He served in the European Theater as Master Sergeant of an anti air craft unit and was a radio technician in a communications division. Kenneth was honorably discharged in November of 1945.
After his discharge from the Army, he returned to the family farm, two and a half miles south of White. He was an active member of the American Legion for 67 years and served as Commander and Treasurer of the local post. He was also a member of the posts firing squad. In addition to his activities with the American Legion, he was also active in the Washington Masonic Lodge No. 111 in White, where he served as Master.
Kenneth will be remembered by his family and friends as a very outgoing, generous, caring and gentle man.
Kenneth had four brothers and four sisters. He is survived by his sister Hazel and her husband, Delos Dunker, Perryville, Mo; brother Richard Hartley, White; sister Lois Dunker and her husband Wendell, Davenport, Iowa. He also leaves behind sisters-in-law Zena Hartley (Mrs. George Hartley) and Viola Davis Hartley (Mrs. Robert Hartley), as well as 17 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert and his wife (Clara Michelson), Chester and his wife Olga (Skovlund) as well as his brother George. Kenneths sister Ruth and her husband Maurice (Madsen) and Dorothy and her husband Don (Quissel) also preceded him in death.