Kenneth E. Serl

Kenneth E. Serl

Aug. 1, 1940-March 19, 2005

Kenneth Eugene Serl was born Aug. 1, 1940, southwest of Yuma to Alvin and Vonda (Watson) Serl. He passed away at home on March 19, 2005.

He attended school at Eckley until the 3rd grade when the family moved to Yuma. He graduated from Yuma Union High School in 1958.

After high school he worked for Tom Brophy until he married Marlene Brockmeier on July 30, 1961. As newlyweds they moved to Haxtun where he was employed by Haxtun Telephone Company.

In 1963, the U.S. Army found his number and he served our country for two years -- 13 months of it in Korea. He was honorably discharged in August 1965. When he returned home, he joined Marlene in Haxtun for another year. He was transferred by the telephone company to Indianola in 1966 and resided there until 1976.

While in Indianola he made many friends and engaged in many heated "Women Vs. Men" pitch games. The women are still sure the men cheated.

The three children were born while the Serls lived in Indianola; Kendra, Karma and Kip. Ken got involved in the community because he had to fix their phones. He was chased by a rattle snake and had a person threaten to whip him, but he won both times. The dog bite sent him in for a shot. One very good (deceased) farmer told him to get the lines high enough so the Jack Rabbits wouldn't tear them down. So Ken and Marlene rigged up a bill to send him. They charged him for parts, labor and the lip he had to take while fixing the phone. It got expensive.

He served two terms on the Indianola City Council and got involved in fund raising and building a swimming pool. He served as President of the commercial club. Some free advice -- don't ever get involved with the Indians and try to move an Indian gravesite -- even if your town is named after an Indian maiden. He also was an instigator of the Indianola Saddle Club. He even conned Marlene into riding a horse in a McCook parade with three year old Kendra in her lap. He had to carry a flag. That only happened once!

In March of 1976, they moved back to Yuma. They built a new home where they still reside. Ken and Marlene started Anspacher Futures which they have owned and operated for 25 years. Many of their customers weren't just customers, they were very good friends. Ken always meant to thank those very special customers who, after becoming discouraged with the "down" market, went out and turned Ken's "Limit Up" license plate upside down! He served on the YCCA Board for many years and was a devoted board member. He also raised cattle and farmed.

He loved to fish and he and Marlene traveled to their lake home at Hugh Butler Lake near McCook many times during the summer. He always said when he retired he would buy a boat and hang up a "Gone Fishing" sign. He was also an avid football fan and enjoyed spending time at the golf course too.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Alvin Serl; brother, Bruce Serl; father-in-law, Marvin Brockmeier; and brother-in-law, Harold Frink.

He was loved enormously and will be greatly missed by his wife of nearly 44 years, Marlene; his children, Kendra Wagner and husband, Daryl of North Platte, Karma Wells and husband, Doug, and son, Kip Serl and wife, Tonya, all of Yuma; grandchildren, Kayla, Lauren and Matthew Wagner, Steven and Samantha Wells and Ken was anxiously awaiting the birth of baby Serl later this year. He is also survived by his mother, Vonda Serl; brother, Les Serl and wife, Shirley, all of Yuma; sister, Marie Frink; and sister-in-law, Lois Serl, both of Akron; and mother-in-law, Esther Brockmeier of Yuma; plus numerous nieces and nephews, several who tried very hard to save him.