Bolken, Kenneth Frederick

a loving husband, dedicated father and beloved grandfather passed away peacefully on July 25, 2014 at the age 88. Ken was born in Denison, Iowa on August 2, 1925 to Fred and Delta Bolken. He graduated from high school in 1943. He enlisted in the Marine Corp and was sent to San Diego, CA in September, 1943 for training. After boot camp he was deployed to Camp Pendleton in California for amphibious training. In January, 1944 he was deployed to Hawaii to join the Second Marine Division as a special weapons operator. Ken participated in the South Pacific assaults at Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. At war’s end in August, 1945 he was part of the occupation of Japan force stationed at Nagasaki. He was honorably discharged from the service at Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois on January 11, 1946. He returned to Denison and was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Loween Jensen on February 6, 1947. A son, James Michael, was born on December 8, 1947. In July, 1955 the family moved to Anaheim, CA, then upon retirement to Mesa, Arizona in 1983. Ken maintained an active lifestyle caring for their home, golfing and traveling. Ken’s greatest passion was his family, caring and sharing especially with grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Loween of Mesa, son Mike and his wife Kitty, grandson Chad and his wife Debbie and great grandson Jake, all of California. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins and a younger brother L.E. Bolken living in Denison, Iowa. He was preceded in death by brother Robert (Bud) of Des Moines, Iowa, sister Marjorie of Denison, Iowa and brother in law Palmer Jensen of California. Friends are invited to attend memorial services on Monday, August 4, 2014 at 1:00 PM at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, 6747 E. Broadway Road in Mesa.