Kenneth Isaacson

A Masonic service will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James. Kenneth L. Isaacson was born on Dec. 18, 1926 in Armstrong, IA, to Frank Christine (Madsen) Isaacson. He grew up on the family farm near Swea City, IA, and enjoyed raising rare breeds of chickens, ducks, and geese along with the usual farm animals. In 1950, he married Marie Lippold of Ringsted, IA. They had three sons and one daughter. One son died at 6 mo. while they still were living in Iowa. In 1959, Ken had both legs injured in a farm accident and had to give up farming. After selling insurance for a while he got a job with New Idea Farm Machinery Co. and worked as a territory manager, receiving several awards for outstanding sales, until retiring in 1980. During his years with New Idea, his family grew up in Marshall, MN and Huron, SD where his remaining three children graduated from High School. After a divorce in 1978, he married Zoe Dettwiler-Newberg. He had been living in St. James since 1972. He and Zoe were business partners in the property rental business for 22 years as of 1999. He kept busy maintaining the properties, mowing lawns and tilling gardens for many years. He was a dedicated gardener and for several years he and Zoe kept a large garden. They traveled extensively for about 15 years across the US and into Canada and Mexico. He was received into the Zurah Shrine of Mpls. in May of 1987. He originally belonged to the Masonic Lodge of Marshall, MN. He was also a member of the St. James Eagles Club and St. James Historical Society. He was preceded in death by his sons James and Joedy, parents, infant sister and brother-in-law Allen Looft. He is survived by his wife Zoe of St. James, son Dan (Deb) Isaacson of Jackson, Debra (Gary) Mattke of Huron, SD, daughter-in-law Diane Isaacson of St. James, grandchildren Stephanie Isaacson, Sandra (Richard) Milton, Travis (Jamie) Hendel, Christopher (Kristi) Mattke, Jared (Kara) Mattke, Shannon (Andy) Johnson, 11 great-grandchildren, sisters Fern Looft of Bancroft, IA, Sylvia (Duard) Perdue of Estherville, IA, and brother Eldon (Jeri) Isaacson of Swea City, IA, step-daughter Irene (Bryan) Apelget of Parkers Prairie, step-sons Gary (Jayne) Newberg of Brownton, Ed (Connie) Newberg of Hector, and Curtis (Blanca) Newberg of Cosmos.