Kenneth Huntley

Mass of Christian Burial for Kenneth Huntley, age 78, of Westside, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at St. Ann’s Church in Vail. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at St. Ann’s Church in Vail with a Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be at a later date in St. Ann’s Cemetery.

Surrounded by his loving family, Kenneth Eugene Huntley passed away on January 20, 2024, following a lengthy battle with health issues.

Born on December 15, 1945, to parents Fred and Phyllis (Watson) Huntley in Ames, Iowa, Ken attended Iowa State University and studied botany and forestry. This background contributed to his life-long love of plants, trees, and all animal species.

In 1970, Ken became the devoted husband of Collette (Fineran) Huntley and in the years that followed, Ken and Collette welcomed six children into their family. With the increasing size of this family, Ken left his position with the Iowa DOT Bridge Construction Crew in order to be home more often. He then accepted employment at WESCO in Denison and served as assistant director. Eventually, Ken moved to full-time management of the Huntley real estate portfolio, where his handy-man and “fix anything” skills were constantly being utilized. 

Ken completed twenty years serving on the Crawford County Conservation Board, overseeing the improvement and operation of all county parks and conservation areas, in addition to contributing to the preservation of the Dow House in Dow City. Ken and Collette were charter members of the Crawford County Garden Club and were inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2016. Starting in 1996, Ken and Collette welcomed into their home dozens of foster children in need of a safe and nurturing environment.

Ken is survived by his wife of 53 years, Collette, and his children: Jason Huntley (Heather), Danielle Huntley (Robert Wilke), Paige Lee (Tim), Bridgette Uhlemann (Joe), Ian Huntley, and Saul Huntley; his three grandchildren: Aidan, Cora, and Margot; his in-laws: Terry and Carole (Fineran) Looft; and his nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. Ken is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Maureen Dunn. 

Donations can be made in Ken’s name to the St. Anthony Regional Cancer Center or Crawford County Conservation.