Kenneth Karl Lehmkuhl, formerly of Indianola, Iowa, passed away June 18, 2023 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota where he lived recently, close to daughter, Barbara Puegner and her family.

Ken was born October 19, 1930 on Hunky Dory Farm, near Roanoke Missouri, to Karl Christian Lehmkuhl and Juanita Elois (Humphrey) Lehmkuhl.  Ken's family moved from the Missouri farm to Indianola, Iowa, where his father purchased farmland. Ken attended Hoosier Row, a rural one-room schoolhouse and graduated from the Indianola High School, Class of 1948.  His sister, Maxine, introduced Ken to Donna Lee Riggle, with whom he sang in the First United Methodist Church choir.  Donna attended Simpson College as she dated Ken.  Around this same time, Ken joined the United States Marines and served stateside as a tank mechanic, during the Korean War.  During his leave, Ken and Donna were married on August 1, 1952.  They started their family of four daughters, Katherine, Barbara, Karen (Kerry) and Tracey.  While living in Indianola, Ken served on the Indianola Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad for 22 years.  Ken, with the help of a few other firemen, was instrumental in establishing the first local ambulance service.  The men all pooled funds to purchase a used cargo van.  Drawing on the skills of other volunteers, the men outfitted the van to include mechanical improvements, painting, signage, cabinetry, and other essential items required of an ambulance. Ken worked for the Firestone Tire and Rubber plant in Des Moines as a plant guard and fireman.  He was a very talented mechanic, gardener and woodworker.  He was always a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Surviving family members include children, Barbara (Craig) Puegner, Kerry Ostlund, Tracey Lehmkuhl; grandchildren, Douglas (Melody) Tagtmeyer, Nathan Ostlund, and Ashley (Sloan Smith) Puegner; and great-grandchildren Jordan Puegner, Elizabeth Tagtmeyer, Adalyn and Adyson Ostlund, and Soren Smith. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Donna Lehmkuhl; daughter, Katherine L. Tagtmeyer; brother, Robert J. Lehmkuhl; sister, Maxine E. Fitkin; son-in-law, Mike Ostlund; and great-grandsons, Alex Q. Ostlund and Aaron M. Ostlund.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., Friday, June 23, 2023 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola. Private family Graveside services will follow in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Overton Funeral Home for the Hoosier Row (Schoolhouse) Preservation Fund.  To sign an online condolence, please visit our website at www.overtonfunerals.com.