Kenneth H. Dobbe, 92, passed away at his home in Concordia Village on May 21, 2019. Kenneth was born on August 6, 1926 to Milton and May Irene (Thompson) Dobbe in his cherished home town of Huxley, Iowa. He was the third child of five and had a long term reputation as the town paperboy.
He graduated from Huxley High School in 1944, whereupon he soon received the expected draft notice for World War II. He was selected for the Navy and shipped via San Francisco to the Philippines where he served in the Navy Construction Battalion as a “Seabee”. After the Japanese surrender in 1945, he shipped to Saipan.
He returned home with an honorable discharge as Seaman First Class in July of 1946. The GI Bill afforded Ken the opportunity to attend the University of Missouri where he graduated with a teaching degree. In addition, he completed a Master’s Degree at U. of M. through attending classes during the summer.
At University, Ken met Ruth (Jurgens) Dobbe from Virginia, IL. They were married at Bethlehem Lutheran church in Petersburg, IL. on Thanksgiving Day in 1950, a wedding date which included a weather surprise which until 1993 was known as the “snowstorm of the century”.
Ken and Ruth enjoyed a close and happy marriage for over 68 years. They were known to be inseparable and delighted working on projects together, especially gardening. Ruth and Ken first settled in Ashland, IL.
where they held teaching positions at the local school. In 1957, they moved to Springfield, as Ken had acquired a teaching position with the Springfield Public Schools. In 1964, they purchased an acreage and built a home near Pleasant Plains, IL.
Ken retired from teaching in 1982 after 27 years of service in which the last 14 years were spent as a principal in Special Education. Soon thereafter, Ken and Ruth enjoyed a five year run with a small antique and sandwich shop called K and R Kollectibles, located at the entrance of New Salem State Park. Ken enjoyed his summer vacations as an avid gardener and golfer while following his childhood baseball team, the Chicago Cubs.
A special highlight in golf was getting a Hole in One while golfing on his birthday. Another special day was when his Chicago Cubs finally won the Pennant. Ken especially loved and valued time spent socializing with family relatives.
As a long time member and faithful attendee of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Ken served his church in various officer positions and enjoyed the fellowship of members there. Ken had a strong faith in the gospel and always expressed a clear assurance that Jesus Christ was his Savior and Lord and looked forward to spending eternity in heaven. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Ruth and two children Janice (Dobbe) Miller (Tom) of Woodinville, WA.
and Dale K. Dobbe (Cathy) of Pleasant Plains, IL. He also leaves behind his brother Rev. LeRoy Dobbe (Ruth) of Lincoln, NB.
and his brother-in-law Floyd S. Jurgens (Lois) of Petersburg, IL. as well as many nieces and nephews. Ken took every opportunity to fully enjoy the childhoods of his seven grandchildren by spending time with them and attending their school and sports functions as often as he could: Amy Hamilton, Carrie LaMotte, David Miller, Isaac Miller, Jessica Vanesse, Ryan Dobbe and Kyle Dobbe.
In addition, he currently has ten great- grandchildren. Ellinger-Kunz and Park Funeral Home in Springfield, IL. is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Pleasant Plains, IL. on May 31, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral will take place at 10 a.m. the following morning at the church on June 1, 2019. Burial with military honors will follow immediately after the funeral at Rosehill Cemetery in Petersburg, IL.
Memorial donations and/or flowers may be sent to Zion Lutheran Church, 525 N. Cartwright Street, Pleasant Plains, IL. 62677.
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