Kenneth "Kenny" Dubois

     Kenneth Dale Dubois was born February 10, 1943, in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, to Sherwin and Opal (Donaldson) Dubois, the seventh of eight children. He was raised on their farm near Cornell and attended school at Cornell and Sioux Rapids Community School, graduating in 1962.

     Following graduation he farmed with his father and took over the farming in 1970. Raising livestock and grain, Kenny was a good steward of the land and a conscientious caregiver of his livestock. He also served in the Army Reserves of Cherokee, IA, from 1964 to 1970.

     On November 23, 1968, Kenny married JoAnn Weishaar of Marathon, IA, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Laurens, IA. To this union five daughters were born: Kimberly, Diane, Paula, Janet, and Jill. He was a loving father and took great pride in his daughters’ accomplishments. 

     In addition to farming, Kenny worked at Simonsen Iron Works in Sioux Rapids, and later became a route driver for Zoltenko Farms, Inc. of Hardy, NE, driving over one million miles in 11 years. During this time he also remodeled the house on the Cornell road and the house his Grandpa Alva had owned, always working to make the big improvements and the little changes that made these two houses nice for his family.

     Kenny was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sioux Rapids since 1968. He later became a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Spencer.

     He was a member of American Legion Post 394, serving as commander and in other offices. For many years he also served as president of the Sioux Rapids Alumni Association. In 2005, he helped revive Sioux Rapids’ annual summer celebration, Tall Corn Days, with the Sesquicentennial Celebration. He enjoyed being part of the Sioux Rapids Historical Society, as well, helping to continue to preserve the theater. Kenny was always a good volunteer, willing to help wherever he was needed.

     Kenny loved bringing family together and sharing good food, especially JoAnn’s pie; riding bicycles with JoAnn and the challenge of riding RAGBRAI in his retirement years; visiting with friends; sharing Shaklee; working on projects in his shop, including restoring John Deere tractors; seeing everyone at the Clay County Fair; and making holidays special playing Santa’s helper for his children and grandchildren. 

     Kenny died in his home on November 4, 2022. Kenny will forever be loved and remembered by his family, including his wife JoAnn of Spencer; daughters: Kimberly (Gerald) Messersmith of Dakota Dunes, SD; Diane (Houston) Klassen of Fargo, ND; Paula (David) Dobesh of Pleasant Valley, MO; Janet (JB Baker) Dubois of Sioux Falls, SD; and Jill (Michael) Pieper of Johnston, IA; and grandchildren: Jared, Alex, and Lauren Messersmith; Seaver and Taylor Klassen; Tyler Dobesh; and Gavin and Brayden Pieper.

     Brothers: Jon (Bev) Dubois and Gordon (Linda) DuBois. Brothers-in-law: Jerry (Mardella) Robinson, William Shaffer, and Larry (Karon) Weishaar. Sisters-in-law: Margie Dubois, Bjorg Dubois, Kris (Craig) Kemp, and Pat Weishaar.

     Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, and in-laws, Arthur and Eva Weishaar. Siblings: Bob Dubois, Norma Nickelson, Bill Dubois, Fern Shaffer, and Anita Robinson. Brothers-in-law: John Nickelson and James Weishaar, and sister-in-law, Dorothy Atluru.

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