Steven A. Kennon

Steven A. Kennon, 88, of rural Oelwein, Iowa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Friday morning, October 2, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa.
Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Maynard, Iowa, with Rev. Randy Baldwin officiating. Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Schmitz Funeral Home, Highway 150 South of Oelwein and for one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, Iowa. Memorials will be given to support Fayette County 4-H Programs. Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com
Steven Andrew Kennon, was born July 10, 1938, in Lisbon, Iowa, to Gale and Ina (Locke) Kennon. Steve grew up on the farm after his family moved to the Westgate and Oelwein area. He attended country school in Westgate and graduated from Maynard High School in 1957. After graduation, Steve worked at Paul Neiman’s Quarry in Sumner and later at the Donaldson Company in Oelwein. Steve married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Carol Lockard, and they shared 68 years of marriage. Together they built a life centered around family, farming, hard work, and helping others. Earlier in his working years, Steve also owned a trucking business in the Oelwein area, delivering freight to Delhi, Greeley, Hopkinton, and other area communities for Rock Island Railroad’s Pals Transfer out of Red Oak, Iowa. In 1962, Steve began farming in the Fayette area. The following year, he and Carol moved to the Randalia area to continue farming. In 1972, they purchased the farm north of Oelwein that would become their home and the heart of their family for more than five decades. Farming was much more than a job to Steve—it was a way of life that he loved. He was a successful farmer who took great pride in his land, his livestock, and the work that went into every harvest. One of his greatest joys was farming alongside his son David and daughter-in-law JoLynne, grandson Ryan, and son-in-law Tom. Even recently, Steve was still thinking about the farm and preparing for the upcoming harvest. Steve also enjoyed his years as a seed salesman for Pioneer-Hybrid. He loved getting out and visiting with farmers, talking about crops and farming and, perhaps most of all, simply visiting with people. Steve never seemed to meet a stranger. He was kind, generous, and genuinely interested in the people around him. While Steve worked hard, he also knew how to enjoy life. Some of his happiest memories were made with the people he loved. He looked forward every year to family fishing trips to Canada, where there were plenty of fish, laughter, and stories to share. He enjoyed camping with family and friends and made many wonderful memories on vacations throughout the western United States and in Alaska. For 27 winters, Steve and Carol spent time in Mercedes, Texas. Those winters became an important part of their lives, giving them the opportunity to enjoy warmer weather, good friends, and new memories while still looking forward to returning home to the farm. But Steve’s favorite place was always home, surrounded by his family. Family holidays at the farm were special occasions. For many years he and Carol lit a star at the top of their tallest grain leg in the wintertime, which delighted their grandchildren and neighbors. The house would be filled with food, games, laughter, and stories—and Steve always had a story to tell. He loved having everyone together and watching his family grow. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were a tremendous source of pride and joy. Steve was a man who believed in working hard, helping others, and taking care of the people he loved. He was generous with his time, his knowledge, and whatever he could give. He leaves behind not only a lifetime of accomplishments, but also countless memories and stories that will continue to be shared by the family he loved so dearly.
Steve is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Carol (Lockard) Kennon; his children, Susan (Bill) Nichols of Camanche, David (JoLynne) Kennon of Maynard, Jeffrey (Teresa) Kennon of Lime Springs, Julie (Tom) Bloom of Maynard, and Sharon Smith of Denver; his sister, Grace Doerring of Elkader; brothers-in-law Danny Lang of Macon, Missouri; Glen Larson of Decorah; sisters-in-law Marjorie Hawkins and Evelyn Lockard of Sumner, Iowa, and Linda Leal of Austin, Texas; 17 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren and counting and many nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gale and Ina Kennon; sisters Doris (Orville) Kies, Joanne Lang, and Carol Larson; brothers-in-law Raymond Doerring, Robert Lockard, Russell Lockard, Lawrence (Shirley) Hurd, and James Hawkins; son-in-law Dan Smith; grandson Steven Jeffers; and great-grandson Lincoln Grundmeyer.
Steve will be deeply missed by Carol, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and the many friends and neighbors whose lives he touched. His farm, his stories, his generosity, and most of all, his love for his family will be part of his legacy. While his family has lost their leader, the memories made around his table, around the campfire, on fishing trips, and out on the farm will be treasured for generations to come. A life well lived. A farmer who loved his land. A husband who cherished his wife. A father and grandfather who was proud of his family. A kind and generous man who will never be forgotten.