Kenneth Tjaden

Kenneth Jerry Tjaden, the son of Ralph and Esther (DeBoer) Tjaden, was born on April 10, 1934, on the family farm in northern Iowa. He attended grade school at Wesley Township country school and high school in Titonka, Iowa. He was a member of the Woden Christian Reformed Church. He enjoyed life on the farm and family gatherings with his cousins at his grandparent’s home. Ken was always interested in machinery, anything with wheels, and how they worked.

He was united in marriage with Marilyn Henderson on August 14, 1969, where they made their home in Clear Lake. His sales career took him and his family to California, Arizona and full circle back to Iowa. At retirement, Ken and Marilyn traveled across the United States for twelve years before settling in Keizer Oregon. Ken had many hobbies including wood working, carpentry and automotive repair. He had a fondness for working outdoors, the animals he had and spending time with his grandchildren.

Ken died peacefully at home on December 31, 2016. He will be missed by his loving wife, Marilyn, of Keizer Oregon, his children and their spouses, Marie Mahoney of Phoenix, Arizona; Cindy (Larry) Sloan of Nevada, Iowa; Karen (Dennis) Oelberg of Clear Lake, Iowa; Betty (Gary) Burkhalter of Strawberry Point, Iowa; Tracy (Jeff) Biondi of Keizer, Oregon; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sister Betty (Henry) Rikkers of Souix Center, Iowa; sister Mary (Roger) Heikens of Milford, Iowa; brother Paul (Marilyn) Tjaden of Britt, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Nancy.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Keizer Community Food Bank, 4505 River Road North, Keizer, OR. 97303.

Memories of Dad
Anonymous

I will take this special moment
To turn my thoughts to Dad
Thank him for the home he gave
For all the things we had.

We think about the fleeting years
Too quickly, gone for good
It seems like only yesterday
I’d go back if I could.

A time when Dad was always there,
No matter what the weather.
Always strong when things went wrong
He held our lives together.

He strived so hard from day to day
And never once complained.
With steady hands, he worked so hard
and kept the family name.

He taught us that hard work pays off,
You reap just what you sow.
He said that if you tend your crops,
Your field will overflow.

My life has been bountiful
He taught me how to give
In his firm and steadfast way
He taught me how to live.

Dad dwells among the angels now
He left us much too soon
He glides across a golden field
Above the harvest moon

I see him in the summer rain,
He rides upon the wind
And when my path is beaten down
He picks me up again.