Kenneth Hinson

Kenneth Cramer Hinson, 88, of Atlantic, Iowa, entered into rest Saturday, March 1, 2014, at the Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska.


Kenneth was born October 27, 1925, in Covington, Kentucky, to Ira and Anna Belle (Cramer) Hinson. He grew up and attended schools in the Covington area. After he was given special permission by his mother to join the United States Navy at the age of 17, he enlisted in August of 1943. He spent 18 months in Europe and 11 months in the Pacific Theatre. He was discharged from the service in May of 1946. After discharge from the service, he graduated from high school and was united in marriage to Marilyn Garner on November 30, 1946. Five children were born to this union. In the late 1950s he began employment with the Independent News Company and was transferred from Kentucky to Iowa in 1958. In 1976, he was married to Marjorie Ramsey and was soon again transferred and moved to California where they resided for almost 20 years.


In his youth, he was a dedicated family member and to help his family he sold newspapers on the corner, had a newspaper route and sold his mother's baked goods. He was very proud of the fact that at the age of 12 he was able to purchase his own bicycle with the monies he earned. Later in life he enjoyed golfing. He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and Iowa Hawkeyes fan. He loved The Rat Pack. He and Marjorie obtained a time share in Hawaii that gave him great joy as they vacationed there yearly. He loved having his children and grandchildren visit them in California.


Kenneth is survived by his children, Ann Butler of Atlantic, IA; Nancy (Robert) Kelly of Atlantic, IA; Susan Rugaard of Audubon, IA; Kenny Mack Hinson of Atlantic, IA, and Sherri (Darrell Bigelow) Rater of Collinsville, OK; grandchildren, Chris (Ann) Butler of Anita, IA, Jacque (Josh) Park of Atlantic, IA, Shane (Amy) Kelly of Norfolk, VA, Michael (Angie) Kelly of Atlantic, IA, Johnie (Angie) Kelly of Atlantic, IA, Rhonda (Joel) DuVall of Audubon, IA, Carrie (Greg) Jensen of Audubon, IA, Andy (Laura) Rugaard of Audubon, IA, Karla (Rod) Crawley of Guthrie Center, IA, Tara Hinson of Omaha, NE, Tiffany (Joey) McDuff of Atlantic, IA, Timothy Hinson of Atlantic, IA and Kevin (Angie) Rater of Owasso, OK; 41 great-grandchildren; many other relatives and friends.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Anna Belle Hinson; wives, Marilyn Hinson and Marjorie Hinson; brother, Jim Hinson; sister, Jo Ann Hinson at the age of 3; great-grandson, Nicholas DuVall; and son-in-law, Regin Rugaard.


Visitation with family will be from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. with a memorial service starting at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 9, 2014, at the First Assembly of God Church in Atlantic, Iowa. The family is having a luncheon at the church following the memorial service.