Kenneth G. Monroe

Kenneth G. Monroe, 88, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Urbandale Health Care Center. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2023 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines. A funeral mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Pius X in Urbandale with burial at Resthaven Cemetery.

Ken was born September 13, 1934 south of Attica, IA, the only child of Ray and Mildred Monroe. The lived on the farm until moving to south Des Moines in 1941. He attended schools in Urbandale and Des Moines and went to High School at Lincoln High School. Ken graduated from Des Moines Technical School in 1953.

Ken held several jobs at a young age with one of them delivering papers for the Des Moines Register where he and several other carriers posed for a series of photos. In March of 1951, he was surprised to be selected to have his picture taken with Trigger III, to advertise the Roy Rogers Parade on April 11 in Des Moines. His second surprise was when his picture was selected to be put on a special issue of a 3 cent U.S. Postage stamp.

Ken worked for Bankers Life Insurance as a mail boy and at Methodist Hospital as an electrician’s helper. He was in the U.S. Navy Reserves from May 1952 to May 1960 where he studied electronics. In 1953, Ken began a career at American Telephone and Telegraph where he started as a craftsman, then an engineer, and finally a supervisor in 1966 in the Des Moines central office, retiring in 1988.

Ken had two loves in his life. He married Irene Wood and to this union three sons were born, Keith, Mark and Paul. Ken spent time with his family on camping trips and boating. This marriage ended later in their lives and he then married Diana Calkins. She had a son, Jeff, who became part of his family. Diana and Ken spent their time traveling abroad and several cruises were they enjoyed taking pictures and sharing their experiences with family and friends. Their love for each other will last forever.

Ken is survived by his wife, Diana; three sons, Keith (Maria), Mark (Sue) and Paul (Mary); stepson, Jeff (Brenda); 9 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.