Kenneth Meyer
d. June 30, 2021
Kenneth Meyer, age 80, of Cottonwood, passed away on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Avera McKennen Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Lakeview Public School in Cottonwood. Burial will follow in the Cottonwood City Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 6, 2021 from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM and will continue Wednesday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM two hours prior to the service at the school. Please use the west doors.
Kenneth George Meyer was born April 17th, 1941, in rural Cottonwood, MN to Paul and Freida (Westerbur) Meyer. He graduated Cottonwood School in 1960 and worked at Western Electric and other various jobs for a time. On November 21st, 1962, he married Elaine Ver Beek in Luverne, MN and they made their home in the Cottonwood area. They farmed south of town for 44 years, including raising hogs and crops.
During the farming years, they welcomed three children, Dane, Darren, and Jade. The family worked together on the farm and enjoyed many summer trips, boating on the lake, and laughs around the table.
In 2007, he and Elaine retired from farming and moved into Cottonwood. They enjoyed their years together on the lake, frequently hosting or visiting their many beloved grand and great-grandchildren. He was so proud of his family and would often share about their accomplishments.
Ken loved farming. It was his life and passion, both as a vocation and a hobby. After his retirement, he enjoyed helping his sons on their farms and would often be found in a John Deere tractor or combine.
Ken’s faith and family were the most important parts of his life. He loved to bring together loved ones and those passing through with an open home and open heart, always with a quick wit and ready smile. We cherish the memory of his love for each person he encountered, his steadfast example, and the twinkle in his eye.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Elaine Meyer of Cottonwood; sons, Dane (Shelly) Meyer of Cottonwood, Darren (DeAnna) Meyer of Hope, ND; daughter, Jade (Andrew) Richtsmeier of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Ashley (Seth) Neumann of Hutchinson, Zachary (Alisha) Meyer of Sioux Falls, SD, Chelsey (Cory) Timmerman) of Sioux Falls, Mallory (Steven) Timm of Oregon, WI, Caleb Meyer of Bettendorf, IA, Camille (Landon) Lewis of Grand Forks, Cassandra Richtsmeier of San Diego, CA, Ryan Richtsmeier of San Luis Obispo, CA; great grandchildren, Hanley, Keaton, Gunther, Willa, Emrey, Watson, Owen, Jacoby; siblings, Darwin (Nancy) Meyer of Cottonwood, Yvonne Meyer of Cottonwood, Judy (Lowell) Toews of Ontario, Canada, Larry (Barb) Meyer of Coon Rapids; sister-in-law, Janice Meyer of Evansville, IN; brother-in-law, John (Rebecca) Ver Beek of Rock Rapids, IA; as well as other relatives and friends.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Frieda Meyer, sister, Kay (Sam) Fragale; brother, Gene Meyer. Ken’s wish was for memorials to be designated to the Cottonwood Ambulance Service.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Lakeview Public School in Cottonwood. Burial will follow in the Cottonwood City Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 6, 2021 from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM and will continue Wednesday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM two hours prior to the service at the school. Please use the west doors.
Kenneth George Meyer was born April 17th, 1941, in rural Cottonwood, MN to Paul and Freida (Westerbur) Meyer. He graduated Cottonwood School in 1960 and worked at Western Electric and other various jobs for a time. On November 21st, 1962, he married Elaine Ver Beek in Luverne, MN and they made their home in the Cottonwood area. They farmed south of town for 44 years, including raising hogs and crops.
During the farming years, they welcomed three children, Dane, Darren, and Jade. The family worked together on the farm and enjoyed many summer trips, boating on the lake, and laughs around the table.
In 2007, he and Elaine retired from farming and moved into Cottonwood. They enjoyed their years together on the lake, frequently hosting or visiting their many beloved grand and great-grandchildren. He was so proud of his family and would often share about their accomplishments.
Ken loved farming. It was his life and passion, both as a vocation and a hobby. After his retirement, he enjoyed helping his sons on their farms and would often be found in a John Deere tractor or combine.
Ken’s faith and family were the most important parts of his life. He loved to bring together loved ones and those passing through with an open home and open heart, always with a quick wit and ready smile. We cherish the memory of his love for each person he encountered, his steadfast example, and the twinkle in his eye.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Elaine Meyer of Cottonwood; sons, Dane (Shelly) Meyer of Cottonwood, Darren (DeAnna) Meyer of Hope, ND; daughter, Jade (Andrew) Richtsmeier of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Ashley (Seth) Neumann of Hutchinson, Zachary (Alisha) Meyer of Sioux Falls, SD, Chelsey (Cory) Timmerman) of Sioux Falls, Mallory (Steven) Timm of Oregon, WI, Caleb Meyer of Bettendorf, IA, Camille (Landon) Lewis of Grand Forks, Cassandra Richtsmeier of San Diego, CA, Ryan Richtsmeier of San Luis Obispo, CA; great grandchildren, Hanley, Keaton, Gunther, Willa, Emrey, Watson, Owen, Jacoby; siblings, Darwin (Nancy) Meyer of Cottonwood, Yvonne Meyer of Cottonwood, Judy (Lowell) Toews of Ontario, Canada, Larry (Barb) Meyer of Coon Rapids; sister-in-law, Janice Meyer of Evansville, IN; brother-in-law, John (Rebecca) Ver Beek of Rock Rapids, IA; as well as other relatives and friends.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Frieda Meyer, sister, Kay (Sam) Fragale; brother, Gene Meyer. Ken’s wish was for memorials to be designated to the Cottonwood Ambulance Service.
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