Kenneth D. “Kenny” Whittaker, 81, of Kearney, died Friday, Aug. 5, 2016 at his home after losing a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Funeral services were at 11 am Tuesday, Aug. 9 at First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Stephen Price-Gibson will officiate. Interment will be at 2:30 pm in Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. Monday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com.
Kenneth DeWayne Whittaker was born on Nov. 25, 1934 in Lexington to Paul and Mary (Brummet) Whittaker. He grew up in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School in 1953. During high school Kenny participated in football, basketball and track. Following high school Kenny continued to work at the local grocery store where he managed the meat department.
On June 20, 1954 Kenny was united in marriage to Marilyn Stream at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington. The couple made their home in Lexington until moving to Kearney in 1960. Kenny was a truck driver and delivery man for several companies, including Armour, Roberts Dairy and Yellow Freight. Following his retirement from Yellow Freight Kenny worked for IGA.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and was a past member of the Elks Club. He was also a member of the Teamsters Union where he served as a Steward. Kenny enjoyed doing word puzzles and playing basketball in the men’s half court league, which he was instrumental in starting. Most of all he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and especially looked forward to attending their sporting activities. Kenny’s family and friends will always remember his extremely kind and gentle heart.
Kenny is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Marilyn of Kearney; a son, Dan (Mary) Whittaker of Arlington, Texas, a daughter, Lori (Tim) LaBrie of Minden, a son, Jon (Shelly) Whittaker of Kearney; five grandchildren, Erin (Matt) Fennema of Byron Center, Mich., Christopher (Kim) LaBrie of Minden, Blake (Katie) Whittaker of Gretna, Logan Whittaker and Sara Anderson of Minden, and Olivia Whittaker of Kearney; four great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Micah, Lily and Gabriel Fennema; two sisters, Myrna (Glenn) Eggleston and Paula Blodgett and a brother, Jerry (Donna) Whittaker, all of Lexington; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Marvin Blodgett; and three nephews, Brent Sherman, Blake Sherman and Terry Eggleston.
