July 31, 1932 — March 28, 2026
Kenneth L. Midtgaard, 93, of Mason City, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2026. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Faith Baptist Church, 1807 Kentucky Ave. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service time. Burial will be held in the Brush Point Cemetery.
Dad was the firstborn of Melvin Amund and Martha Matilda Midtgaard born at home on a farm west of Fertile, IA. He joined his brother Arden and together welcomed Maynard and Marian as each was born. This 3rd generation, distinctly Norwegian family, loved this land, the God who blessed this land richly, and one another.
In 1950 Dad graduated from Fertile High School, a class having thoroughly enjoyed close friendships that lasted his lifetime, basketball, playing the clarinet and serving as drum major in the band, participating in Luther League, and working the farm with his entire family,
He attended one semester at Waldorf Junior College, Forest City, IA. After breaking his hand playing for the basketball team (his primary motivation for continuing his education) he returned to his true passion: farming.
Dad was raised in a God-fearing home, regularly attending church, Luther League, was baptized as an infant, and completed confirmation. It wasn’t until early adulthood Dad truly began developing his own personal relationship with Jesus, which led to him confessing his sins, asking Christ’s forgiveness, and receiving the gift of eternal life (Eph. 2:8,9). Dad was later baptized as a believer in Christ as a testimony to his decision to follow Him.
Dad served in the Korean War October 1, 1952 – September 30, 1954. He was honorably discharged, receiving the Korean Service Ribbon with two bronze service stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. We, his children, stand proudly, tearfully, gratefully in his honor, each time we are afforded the opportunity to acknowledge Dad’s sacrifice whether in a public assembly or patriotic church program.
May 20, 1956 Dad married Mary Louise Elthon which is the beginning of our history with him. Debra Ann was born May of 1957; Susan Marie in September of 1960; and Michael Allen in May 1965. God lovingly added two granddaughters: Anne in 1987 and Allison in 1993. Anne married M. Alex Campbell in 2015 with Adria Beckett Campbell joining our family in 2021. “Grandpa Kenny!”
Dad’s career in sales afforded him the opportunity to experience many, many miles of our America which he loved even more after traveling North America for years. Mom describes their 10-year tenure with All Star Dairy as their “second honeymoon”. These years included frequent neighborhood walks, picturesque drives through the Bluegrass state stopping by horse stables, and of course, cheering for the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team.
Throughout his career sales days, Dad maintained a herd of Limousine cattle on the farm west of Fertile that continuously whispered: come home.
As we reflect on Dad, three priorities soar higher than others: Faith, Family, Farm. These priorities were supported by three attributes Dad consistently modeled: Personal Work Ethic, Sacrifice, and Perseverance.
These family members preceded Dad in death from his Midtgaard family: parents Melvin A. and Martha M. Midtgaard; brother Arden H. Midtgaard and his wife Fern E. Midtgaard; sister Marian E. Midtgaard, nephew James E. Midtgaard; two nephews-in-law, and several extended family members in America and Norway. These family members preceded Dad from his Elthon family: parents-in-law Thelan A. and Lillian G. Elthon; brother-in-law Robert T. Elthon and several other dear, dear beloved ones.
With all our love and respect,
Your children, granddaughters, and great-granddaughter, Adria
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