Kenneth M. Bale

The funeral service for Kenneth M. Bale, 85, of rural Rochester, MN will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at East St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Rock Dell, MN with Rev. Paul Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mr. Bale died on Saturday, November 9, 2019 following an illness with heart disease at Mayo Clinic Rochester – St. Mary’s Campus, where he had been a patient.

Kenneth M. Bale was born on December 14, 1933 in Salem Township, Olmsted County, MN to Donald and Anna (Peterson) Bale.  He grew up on the family farm, attended country school and began farming with his family. He was a member of East St Olaf Lutheran Church, where he was baptized and confirmed. He was married in June 1961 to Rose Marie Markham.  The couple lived and farmed on one of the Bale family farms where they raised their children. They were later divorced. Kenneth worked at Rochester Fertilizer and at Marigold Dairy for 28 years and was a member of the Teamsters Local 120 until his retirement. He was a lifelong farmer and after retiring, he continued farming with his son. He was an excellent dancer and loved dancing to old time music in his earlier years at the Pla-Mor. He also enjoyed deer hunting and playing 500, family fishing trips up north and to Canada, the annual lutefisk meal at East St. Olaf, and visiting with family and friends.

Kenneth is survived by 3 daughters and 1 son; Marsha (Randy) Kohn of rural Rochester; Marilyn (Brad) Gleason of Stewartville; Darlene (Tom) Boland of Spring Valley and Chuck Bale of rural Rochester; 6 grandchildren – Corey (Carlie) Kohn, Kyle Kohn, Nicholas Gleason (Kelsey Morris), Anna Gleason, Jacob Boland and Cassondra Boland.;  1 brother, Gareld (Mable) Bale; sister-in-law Joan Bale of Rochester; and nieces and  nephews.  He also had a loyal pet companion, his dog, Harvey. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marion Bateman and brother Robert Bale.  

A time of visitation will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday morning, November 14th, 1 hour prior to the funeral service at 11 a.m. at East St. Olaf Lutheran Church.  Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville, MN. Condolences and memories of Kenneth are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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