Kenneth "Ken" Newell, beloved husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa passed away peacefully on Sunday February 11, 2024 at the age of 87 years.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola.  Visitation will be held prior to services from 9 to 11 a.m., at the funeral home.  Burial will follow services in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

Ken was born July 6, 1936 to John and Katherine (Campbell) Newell in Omaha, Nebraska.

On July 30, 1956, Ken enlisted in the United States Air Force serving as a radio operator. During his enlistment, he was tasked with listening to morse code where he would intercept messages, decipher them, then relay them on. He was honorably discharged after four years of service.

On November 20, 1965, Ken was united in marriage to Sandra (Newman). To this union they were blessed with 5 children.

In August of 1970, Ken and Sandy purchased the Maid Rite located on the corner of Highway 65/69 and Highway 92. They opened their doors the same week as the first National Balloon Classic. They were in for a surprise when they had to learn off the fly how to feed the masses. After 9 years in the Maid-Rite, they built the Cottage Inn, where Ken greeted customers from his spot just behind the register and Sandy from behind the kitchen window. Together, with their family, they served home cooked meals and homemade pies for over 35 years to the Community of Indianola.

After retiring from the restaurant business, Ken quickly became bored and found his way to Pathlabs with Iowa Methodist Hospital. He spent 17 years as a courier enjoying every minute. He made lots of friends along the way adding to the many he gained during his Cottage Inn years. When Ken finally decided to retire for good, he spent his time watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones, and Chicago Cubs. When he didn't have a ball game to watch, he loved sitting on his back patio enjoying a good cigar.

Ken leaves behind his beautiful wife Sandra Newell; children, Cindy Henry, Traci VanderLinden, Todd (Ute) Newell, Eric Newell and Laura (Tim) Davison; grandchildren, Amanda (Tim) Henry Nelson, Emily VanderLinden, Jared (Kelley) VanderLinden, Blake (Rachelle) Henry, Mallory (Martin) Wells, Hannah (Joe) Byers, Darren Newell, Caroline Newell, Tessa Newell, Chase Davison, Piper Davison; 10 great-grandchildren; siblings, Robert (Bob) Newell, Phil Newell, Betty Allen, and Richard (Marilyn) Newell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Newell and Katherine (Newell) Baker; step-father, Ray Baker; and son-in-law, Allen Henry.

Memorials may be given, in Ken's memory, to the American Legion Post #165 in Indianola.