Kenneth grew up in Beloit, Kansas, and Joplin, Missouri. As a child he lived the carefree life of the mythical “Mayberry” we all dream of, enjoying riding his bike or exploring the neighborhood with friends without the worries we all face today. In later years he enjoyed receiving his monthly “Reminisce” magazine which took him back to the days of radio shows, Howdy Doody, Gene Autry, and 10 cent movies. During his younger years around age 11-12 he began to visit his Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Nick in Wallace, Kansas in the summers driving a tractor in the fields, harvesting wheat, hauling hay, and hunting for arrowheads and fossils in the recently windblown western Kansas canyons and fields in the 1950’s.
Kenneth had a love of archeology that took him too many locations in the western United States including exotic places such as Idaho, Wyoming and South Dakota. He guided and accompanied archeologists from the Smithsonian Museums who were searching for Native American artifacts, and some pieces he found were catalogued, and are part of the Smithsonian collections, his name was printed in archeology books of the day. All during his remaining life he maintained an extensive collection of arrowheads, fossils, glass insulators, and Americana.
Kenneth spent his remaining teenage summers in Western Kansas with his beloved cousins Phillip and Ted Bussen. He often worked for five dollars a day farming, and loved and cherished every moment of his time there. The boys would sometimes put together “coyote hoopties” which were often old Model T junkers or other jalopies they got to run, much like the ones seen in the opening of the movie Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull--- to chase rabbits or coyotes down in the open fields.
Kenneth graduated from Joplin Senior High School, and immediately moved to Wallace County to pursue farming, until called by President Kennedy to serve our nation in the U.S. Army in 1960, just 12 days after Elvis Presley’s departure. This was at a time when it was “cool” and honorable for a young man to serve our nation, as their fathers did before them. He completed boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was stationed in Orleans, France for his overseas tour and often visited Germany and Austria, and had a fabulous view of these nations from the back of a 5 ton, 6x6 truck. Kenneth left the U.S. Army with the rank of E-4.
Kenneth married Gudrun Wisniewski on July 15, 1964 and had four children, Kevin, Bridget, Jeff, and Andrea. He was divorced, and later remarried and had a son named Justin. He was married one final time, and eventually lived out his life as a widower.
After moving to Austin, Texas in 1971 Kenneth worked for many years at L&H Construction Company working on many familiar buildings in the Austin area. He was always especially proud of their work on Westgate Lanes Bowling Alley which still stands as a favorite hangout in south Austin. After Kenneth’s time with L&H Construction Company, he went on to work for the Sam’s Club stores at the now closed location on South IH-35 for several years, and later at the new location at South Park Meadows until he was 73. He had many friends he worked with, and truly enjoyed his time with all the employees there who knew him as “Kenny” or “Ken”, he often shared stories about them at home. He was saddened when it was finally time to retire. Kenneth spent his remaining years enjoying his free time reading the newspaper daily, and watching his favorite TV show “Jeopardy!”. He enjoyed frequent trips to look at “dream houses” in Lockhart with his sister Judy. He often commented how the city reminded him of his childhood years in Beloit and Joplin, and he enjoyed his visits to eat Lockhart BBQ. Kenneth also enjoyed visiting the monthly Wimberly swap meets while he was still able, where he could pick up an occasional treasure, or think about the value of his “wealth” of old western magazines he had saved away since childhood.
Dad always wanted to go back to “Mayberry”, and we all hope he is there now and that the sun is shining on him once again.
Kenneth is survived by the following; Mother, Hildred Bohm of Joplin, Missouri, Sister, Judy Bohm of Austin, Texas, Brother, Roger Bohm (Barbara Bohm) of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Sister, Beverly Mitchell of Joplin, Missouri, Sister, Janet Howerton of Round Rock, Texas, Sister, Sharon Yust (Ron Yust) of Joplin, Missouri; Son, Kevin Bohm (Belinda Bohm) of Kyle, Texas, Daughter, Bridget Bohm-Goyeneche (Daniel Goyeneche) of Austin, Texas, Son, Jeff Bohm (Paula Bohm) of Joplin, Missouri, Daughter, Andrea Horton (Shawn Horton) of Joplin, Missouri, Son, Justin Bohm (Jennifer Bohm) of Austin, Texas; Grandchildren, Hunter Bohm, Trenton Bohm, Spencer Bohm, Caleb Bohm, Justin Bohm, Kaylee Bohm, Christopher Horton, Nicholas Horton, Alexa Goyeneche, and Andrew Gloshen; Nieces and Nephews; Ashton Yust, Taylor Yust, Matt Bohm, John David Mitchell, Christine Kalio, Stephanie McCormack, Melissa Ponce as well as many cousins and extended family members.
Kenneth also leaves behind many beloved co-workers, friends, acquaintances, and neighbors from his past and recent years.
Pall bearers will include Kevin Bohm, Hunter Bohm, Spencer Bohm, Justin Bohm, Caleb Bohm, Justin “Jay” Bohm.
A Funeral service will be conducted at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Interstate 35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660. Larry Robertson will be officiating. Active Duty Military honors will be afforded following the services at the graveside at Cook-Walden/Memorial Hill Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas. The family will receive friends from 2:30 p.m. until the time of service at 3:30 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home.
Please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com to leave condolences and share memories with Kenneth’s family.
