Kendal Warne Sr

Kendal Clyde Warne, Sr., 86, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at Heritage House in Atlantic.

The son of Raymond and Phyllis (Trent) Warne, Kendal was born June 15, 1932, in Atlantic, Iowa. He attended Atlantic Community Schools, graduating with the High School Class of 1949. On April 7, 1951, he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Brown at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic. Two children, Kendal Jr. “Gus” and Jennifer were born to this union. He was employed at Gillin Gas and Appliance and Thermal Gas in Atlantic for several years. In 1970, he started his own business, W & S Appliance; he owned and operated it with his son, Gus, until his passing. On February 14, 1983, he was united in marriage to Shirley A. (Bissell) Steffens in Westphalia, Iowa. 

Kendal was a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic and in his younger years was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Marne Fire Department for over 6 years and the Atlantic Fire Department for 44 years, serving as Chief from 1973 to 1993. He was a Past President of the Iowa Firefighters Association and played an instrumental role in the building of the Iowa Firefighters Memorial in Coralville, Iowa.  Kendal was also a Red Cross Blood Donor.

His early morning routine for many years included coffee and playing cards at the fire station before heading to the store each day.  Shirley and Kendal enjoyed fishing at their pond and spending time with family and friends at their cabin. For many years they attended Iowa Firemen Conventions where they met many life-long friends.

Kendal is survived by his wife, Shirley Warne of Atlantic; son, Kendal “Gus” Warne, Jr. (Jane Studer) of Atlantic and daughter, Jennifer (Gary) McConnell of Council Bluffs, IA.  Grandchildren, Darci (Chad) Hiemenz of Gretna, NE and Trent (Lana) Warne of Kansas City, MO, Shawn (Shannon) McConnell of LaVista, NE; Stacy (Greg) Willis of Elk Horn, NE.  Kendal’s step-daughters, Cindy Turk of Dayton, OH, Judy Anderson of Atlantic, Terri Ehrman of Omaha, NE, and Eileen (Bruce) Horrie of Plano, TX.  Kendal and Shirley together have 14 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren, sister-in-law, Audrey Nielsen of Lewis, IA, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. 

Kendal is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Phyllis Warne; brother, Earl and wife, Harriett; sister, Shirley and husband, Cecil. 

Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, November 4, 2018, at Roland Funeral Home.  The Atlantic Fire Department will perform the placing of the gear at 4:15 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 5, 2018, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church.  Per Kendal’s wishes cremation will take place after the Mass with burial at a later date. 

Memorials are preferred to the family for a later designation. 

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Kendal’s family and his arrangements.   Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.