Glenn Kerkhoff, 74 of Glidden, died Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at Regency Park Nursing Home in Carroll.
A private Funeral Mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Glidden. The Celebrant will be Fr. Patrick Behm. Music will be by Mary Ross and Michael Bolton. Lector for the Funeral Mass will be Billie Wenck. Gift Bearers will be: Lane Wenck, Stella Wenck, Reese Wenck, Sam Galinsky, Norah Galinsky, Cora Greteman, and Adeline Greteman. Urn Bearers will be Kenny Stubbe, Terry Smith, Greg Snodgrass, Greg Nessa, Jim Friel, Jim Rushton, and Denis Wiederien. Burial will be in Merle Hay Memorial Cemetery in Glidden.
A public visitation will be held on Monday, December 16, 2024 at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll from 5-6:30 p.m., with a Christian Wake Service at 6:30 p.m.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Glenn’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Glenn Henry Kerkhoff was born on May 18, 1950 to parents Natheal (Bierl) and Floyd B. Kerkhoff in Templeton, Iowa. His father died on Feb. 14, 1952. Nathael married Theodore G. Meiners, Jr. in 1954. The family resided on the family farm near Willey until purchasing their farm northeast of Dedham. Glenn attended elementary school in Willey and later in Dedham. He attended Kuemper High School and graduated with the class of 1968.
After graduation from high school, Glenn began working at Ideal Manufacturing in Jefferson, Iowa making livestock feeders and stock tanks. A hard-working man, even in his youth, his work ethic was evident. Glenn was quickly given the responsibility of being a lead man, setting up machinery for various products, ensuring the products were manufactured, and done on schedule. After 17 years, the plant closed forcing him to find other employment. It didn’t take long and 30 days later, he began a career with Carroll County where he worked for the next 30 years in the Courthouse. He took particular pride in his work there, often saying he wanted to keep the building and the grounds well-maintained for the people of the county. The position that started as janitorial work became much more. He retired from the courthouse in October of 2014 following his cancer diagnosis.
Glenn also worked for 30 years for the City of Glidden, doing maintenance and cleaning the City Hall. When the United Bank of Iowa moved to Carroll, Glenn became the janitor/maintenance man for their new building. For some time, he would work at all three places every day. In addition, he did maintenance and grounds work for Sundown and Dakota Apartments in Glidden for over 20 years. In all of his jobs, he made lifelong friends he considered family.
Glenn and Cindy Weidner were united in marriage at Holy Family church in Lidderdale by Fr. Robert Gralapp on June 19, 1976.
Camping was something Glenn and Cindy enjoyed their entire married life starting out with a tent, and when they tired of packing and unpacking, moved up to a small travel trailer. He always dreamed of owning a diesel pusher motorhome and in July of 2023, that dream was realized when they bought a brand-spanking–new Winnebago RV. He spent endless hours puttering around washing it and polishing it. They were able to spend last winter in Brownsville, Texas.
After retirement Glenn enjoyed gardening in his small vegetable garden and planting flowers. Every spring and fall found him scouring through nurseries looking for new perennials for his flower beds.
Glenn loved talking to people and could talk to anyone and would strike up conversations with strangers in waiting rooms or restaurant lines. In fact, friends often said if Glenn was awake, he was talking. He truly did not know a stranger.
Glenn is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cindy; a brother, Kenny (Retta Williams) Meiners, and their son, Jason; a sister, Joleen; a sister and brother-in-law, Billie and Dan Wenck of Glidden, and their children, Brooke (Andrew) Galinsky of Waukee; Chris (Abby) Wenck of Carroll; and Emily (Jon) Greteman of Waukee; a sister-in-law, Denise Clapp of Waterloo and her children Kahla (Steve) Dutcher, and Jessica Clapp; a brother-in-law, Mike (Michelle) Weidner of Waterloo, and their children, Andy Weidner and Lauren Weidner, several great- nieces and nephews; several cousins; his beloved kitties, Poppy and Paisley, and countless friends.
He was preceded in death by a son, Cameron Lee, at birth; his parents, Ted and Natheal Meiners; his father- and mother-in-law, Harold and Mary Weidner; a brother, Kevin Meiners; and five sisters: Linda, Karen, Brenda, Donna, and Annabelle.
