Delbert Norman Killen

Delbert Norman Killen, the son of Peter “Pete” and Mary (Johnson) Killen, was born November 17, 1929, at his parents’ home southeast of Exira, Iowa and died October 30, 2017, at the Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 87 years, 11 months and 23 days.
Delbert was baptized and confirmed at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Exira, Iowa. He attended rural schools near Exira and graduated from the Exira High School with the Class of 1947. Delbert then helped operate the family farm with his father Pete. On November 5, 1951, Delbert was inducted into the U.S. Army. During his tour of duty he served stateside. He was honorably discharged on July 6, 1952, and returned home to Exira where he continued farming.
On January 23, 1965, he was united in marriage to Leanna Vorm at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Exira, Iowa. Over the years they were blessed with three children Karen, Gary, and Dale. Delbert operated farms east of Brayton, Iowa where he grew row crops and raised livestock. Later he purchased the family farm. In the 1980’s along with farming, he started delivering mail. He was a rural mail carrier for over 21 years before he retired. Delbert then helped his son Dale operate the farm. Delbert and Leanna enjoyed their country home for many years then moved to the Exira Care Center.
Delbert was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Exira, Iowa and a member of the American Legion Post No. 350 Brayton, Iowa. Delbert loved being outdoors watching the cattle and playing with the dogs. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.
Preceding him in death were his parents, and his brothers-in-law Bernie Burbank, Leonard and wife Vera Vorm, Leslie and wife Lorene Vorm and Albert Andersen.
Survivors include his wife Leanna Killen of Exira, Iowa; his children Karen Hoff of Ankeny, Iowa, Gary Killen of Ankeny, Iowa and Dale Killen of Brayton, Iowa; his granddaughter Alexis Johnson of Ankeny, Iowa; his sister Lela Burbank of Fort Dodge, Iowa; his sister-in-law Lydia Andersen of Blair, Nebraska, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will meet with friends Friday evening November 3, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted by Reverend Antony Mathew on Saturday morning November 4, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Exira, Iowa. Interment will be in the Oakfield Cemetery east of Brayton, Iowa. The casket bearers will be Scott Burbank, Mark Burbank, Craig Burbank, Rob Shickell, Bruce Vorm and Kenneth Vorm.