Len & the guys played a benefit for a 4 year old once. After setting up his drums, he gave the sticks to the sick boy, told him to beat on the new Pearl kit. Another benefit I introduced my granddaughter to him. She had just started taking violin lessons at school. He gave her his instrument, told her to go for it. Then he told me what that fiddle was worth. I almost died. He said, no big deal, let her try. He just wanted kids to learn music.

I knew Len as a supervisor at Armour Foods. Len was the Ham Boning Supervisor. As a fellow supervisor we talked about our families. Len was a great guy and he was great with his workers.  I haven’t seen him since He left for Jim Beam, but occasionally texted one another. My condolences to the family.

I was very shocked to hear of Len passing! I remember the good times of recording and drinking in his studio on Polaris. Much love and respect to the family. 😢

Len was such a giving and caring man.  When he made improvements on his bottling line and saved the company a bunch of money, the manager offered him a bonus but instead he asked for heat in our smoking area because so many people were getting sick from the cold weather.  He could've taken the bonus but thought about his fellow union brothers and sisters first.  When I was in training he took time to spend with me and work through alot of areas and truly wanted me to understand and grow within my job. Great man, worker, and friend. Thank you and RIP to you. Prayers to the family. 


This photo was from my wedding day. My husband, Doug Ferguson, thought of Len as a Father & Len treated him like a son. He will be missed by so many.

Visitation

A Celebration of Life

Len was preceded in death by his parents, David and Freda Wathen. 

Left to cherish Len’s memory is his loving wife of 46 years, Carolyn; children, Kristy Sheppard Riley, David Wathen (Mandie), grandchildren, Briana Riley, Xander Wathen, Kai Simpson; siblings, Deborah Clute (Don), Brian, Tony, and Mark Wathen; and several nieces and nephews.

Evergreen Funeral Home & Cemetery

Len Wathen

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OBITUARY

Len D. Wathen

November 17, 1952 – October 14, 2019

Evergreen Funeral Home & Cemetery

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