The Celebrant will be Fr. Terry Roder. Music will be by Nancy Lemker, Sherry Loughran and the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Choir. Lectors will be Kenny’s daughter-in-law, Kim Nees and grandson, Paul Nees. Gift Bearers will be Kenny’s grandchildren. Eucharistic minister will be Kenny’s son-in-law, Randy Blake. Casket bearers will be Kenny’s grandchildren: Jason Nees, Kara Nees-Garner, John Nees, Chelsea Koster, Bennett Blake, Bryan Potthoff, Samuel Ainsworth, Ian Kolb, Taylor Nees, and Garrett Nees. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery in Mt. Carmel.
Friends may call at Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2025 where there will be a rosary at 6:30 p.m. Additional visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday at the church prior to the Mass.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. The family invites you to share stories and memories of Kenny or offer condolences at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born on January 27, 1933, in Carroll, Iowa Kenneth Francis was the son of Rudolph and Mary (Underberg) Nees. He was the eighth of ten children. He graduated from Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in 1951. On May 20, 1952, Kenny married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Jeanette Baumhover at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. Jeanette and Kenny made the Mt. Carmel area their home where they farmed and raised ten children with unconditional love.
A devout Catholic and beloved patriarch of his large family, he will be remembered for his steadfast dedication, lifelong curiosity, and wonderful sense of humor. A true "people person," he never met a stranger. He was known for remaining "young until the end," and was a familiar and welcome face in Carroll County, especially at "Al’s Corner" and Garden View.
A lifelong learner, Kenny embodied the principle that "you should learn something new every day". He was an avid reader and loved sharing his knowledge and thoughts. He enjoyed simple pleasures like a good game of cards and was known for his community involvement, including singing in the church choir and caring for the cemetery grounds. He was immensely proud to be a steward of the Century Farm that had been in his family for generations. His creative outlet was making intricate wooden toys for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include nine children: Dan (Kathy) Nees of Ankeny, Steve (Iris) Nees of Halbur, Joan (Ed) Wehr of Carroll, Chris (Randy) Blake of Wiota, Theresa Potthoff (Jerry Green) of Pauls Valley, OK, Susan Nees (Scott Ainsworth) of Watkinsville, GA, Jill (John) Kolb of Ames, Joe (Mindy) Nees of Breda, and Mike (Kim) Nees of Carroll and daughter-in-law Rosanne Nees of Mt.Carmel; 28 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; his brother: Duane (Loretta) Nees; his in-laws Virgil (Mary) Baumhover, Marie Baumhover, Betty (Jerry) Klocke, Lenore (Richard) Fiedler, Anita Fiedler, Lorin (Lorraine) Baumhover, and Roger Baumhover.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jeanette, son Tom, son-in-law John Koster, great-grandson Becker Blake, his parents, his sisters and brothers: Florence Nees, Marvin Nees, Francis Nees, Rita Dentlinger, Rosella Berger, Donald Nees, Elmer Nees, and Mary Ann Brandt as well as his in-laws: Winifred Jorgensen and Jim Baumhover.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Mt. Carmel Faith Foundation in remembrance of Kenny.