Gaylen Dean Kickhaefer

Gaylen Dean Kickhaefer was born May 6, 1941, to Herman and Amanda (Timm) Kickhaefer in Woodbine. He was baptized May 25, 1941, and confirmed on April 17, 1955, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Gaylen lived on the family farm southeast of Woodbine while growing up and attending the Woodbine Schools. He graduated from Woodbine High with the class of 1959. After graduation, Gaylen worked on a custom cutting crew for a summer.

He was united in marriage to Carol Beth Gillett on November 3, 1960, and were blessed with 61 years together. To the union, six children were born: Gail, Todd, Van, Cindy, Debbie, and Nancy. Gaylen and Carol made a life of farming and lived all their married life on the farm outside of Woodbine. Together, they ran a hog and cattle operation. Gaylen worked for the Woodbine Co-op and the Navarre Co-op until 1976 when he went full time farming.

Gaylen was preceded in death by the love of his life, Carol, his parents, son Van and grandson T.J. He is survived by son Todd; daughters Gail (Matt) Nemmers, Cindy (Tracy) Rietzke, Deb (Jeff) Meisenheimer, and Nancy (Glen) Brockmeier. He is also survived by his grandchildren Eric Albrecht, Brittany Kickhaefer, Amanda and April Kickhaefer, Kylie (Michael) Yeager, Morgan (Fiancé Nick Boeth) Rietzke, Kelbi and Kamryn Meisenheimer, Holly, Meghan, Amber, and Tyler Brockmeier, eight great- grandchildren and a brother Mark (Barb) Kickhaefer.

Gaylen was an avid athlete and sports fan his entire life. He told stories of many town team basketball and baseball games and the activities that often accompanied those events. Gaylen coached his boys in baseball when they were young and loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports. One would love to know the miles he put on vehicles driving to and from ballgames. Gaylen also enjoyed the time he spent with family and friends on fishing trips. The stories he would tell from those memories brought a smile to his face.

Visitation will be held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Herington on Sunday September 11^th from 4 – 6 p.m. with a prayer service at 5 p.m. His funeral service will be held on Monday September 12^th at 10:3-0 a.m. at the church with interment to follow at Woodbine Cemetery. A time of fellowship will be following the burial at the church. Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Herington is serving the family. Memorial contributions in Gaylen’s name may be directed to Dickinson County Home Health and Hospice, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, or the Woodbine Fire Department. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Gaylen at www.yazelmeglifh.com.