Kenneth L. Smith

Kenneth L. “Kenny” Smith, 80, of Creston, died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, at Creston Specialty Care in Creston. Celebration of Life Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Services will be livestreamed under his obituary and events at www.powersfh.com. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery in Creston. Pastor John Van Nostrand will officiate. Open visitation was held 2-7 p.m., with family receiving friends 5-7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 18.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a local animal rescue effort. Online condolences can be left at www.powersfh.com.

Kenneth Lee Smith was born Aug. 25, 1944, in Creston. He attended Pleasant Township Rural school through fourth grade. The family moved and then he attended Arispe Schools through the eighth grade. He graduated from East Union High School in 1963. Following graduation, he worked several carpentry jobs and drove a gravel truck for Ken Nurnberg. In August 1965, he joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1969.

On June 11, 1966, he was united in marriage to Donna Pitkin of Shannon City. Immediately following their marriage, they left on their new life journey back to his military base in San Diego, California. They welcomed their first son Randy while there.

New orders sent him to Guam for eight months and Donna and Randy went back home to Creston. After his return from Guam their second son Darrell was born. Once his military path ended, he worked for the Creston Water Department for four years, then began his 30-year career with Iowa Southern Utilities and Alliant Energy, retiring October 2002.

They raised their boys on their farm near Creston, later creating their forever home that Ken designed and built by hand. They enjoyed camping, sports and time with family, especially grandkids. Retirement included lots of traveling, bus trips, cruises and wintering in Arizona.

Survivors include his wife Donna Smith of Creston; one son, Randy (Alissa) Smith of Greenfield; his brother, Ron Smith of Shannon City; his sister, Jean Gruver of Clive; daughter-in-law, Becci Berry of Winterset; four grandchildren: Carla (Kara Beaver) Smith of Harvey, Raegen Smith (significant other Eric Morley) of Ottumwa, Ashton (Zach) Scadden of Winterset and Lane Smith of Winterset and great-grandson, Ridge Scadden.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Wayne and Marie Pitkin; son, Darrell Smith; daughter-in-law, Brenda Smith; his brother, Bob Smith; sisters-in-law, Mary Smith and Diana Meinke and brothers-in-law, Dennis Pitkin and Don Gruver.