Kenneth Lee Nihart, 92, Austin

Kenneth Lee Nihart, 92 of Austin, died Monday, March 9, 2015, at Our House Assisted Living, Austin. 
He was born Oct. 30, 1922, in Dover, Minnesota, to Lawrence and Anna (Johnson) Nihart. Kenneth attended Dover schools, and made his living as a farmer and as a laborer at Hormel Foods Corporation for 38 years, retiring in 1980. He was also a school bus driver for Austin Transportation for 14 years.  
On Nov. 19, 1944, Kenneth was married to Elvera Olstad at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. The couple raised three children. In the early years of their marriage, the Niharts lived in Blooming Prairie. Kenneth served his country in the U.S. Army from March 1945 until his honorable discharge in 1946, when he and Elvera moved to Austin. A lifetime member of the American Legion and V.F.W., he also belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Moose Lodge and Crane Community Chapel. Ken enjoyed camping and traveling. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Kenneth is survived by his daughter Barbara Flom of Glencoe, Minnesota; his five grandchildren, his great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren; siblings Margaret Condon of Lyle, Minnesota; Lois Papenfus of Concord, California; Billy (Bev) Nihart of Remer, Minnesota; Lawrence (Betty) Nihart of Babbitt, Minnesota; and Lynn (Barbara) Nihart of Ely, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Anna Nihart; his wife Elvera ‘Ione’ Nihart in 2006; two sons, Kermit and Michael; one brother Don Nihart; and sister-in-law Margaret Williamson.  
Funeral services were held at on Friday, March 13, 2015, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with Pastor Dale Christiansen officiating. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Austin. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to recipient of donor’s choice. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.