Kenneth Stone Obituary

West Des Moines - Kenneth (Ken) Stone, 74, passed away peacefully on Thursday May 22, 2025 after a courageous two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Our dear Ken, suffers no more. He’s now happy, healthy and home. A visitation will be held at 9:30am on Friday, June 20th at Dunn’s Chapel, 2121 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa, followed by a memorial service at 11:00am, luncheon at 12:00 noon with internment services at Resthaven Cemetery afterwards.

Ken was born in Des Moines, Iowa, son of Harold and Vivian (Tolle) Stone and lived here most of his life. He graduated from Urbandale high school in 1968, followed by attending Grandview University.

Ken joined the US Army Reserves and served from 1970 until 1976 when he proudly received an honorable discharge. Ken joined the carpenters union as one of its youngest members and took pride in working on one of Des Moines’ earliest skyscrapers, The Financial Center.

After his stint in the carpenters union, Ken started his own business, Stone Construction. As a general contractor, Ken constructed numerous new homes, commercial projects and major remodels. Ken was known as a master carpenter. He approached each project with ”old school” care, respect for budgets, time frames and quality craftsmanship. Ken was a member of the Home Builders Association of Iowa and served a term as its president.

Ken met his future wife, Darla, at a charitable fundraiser, benefitting Children’s Charities. They later got married at Sandals, Montego Bay, Jamaica in 2001, followed by a reception in their West Des Moines home for friends and family. No need to get into the details of the police visit.

Ken enjoyed life to the fullest! He cherished spending time with his friends and family. He held a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who fondly referred to him as G Pa. Ken thoroughly enjoyed watching them in their sports activities. He was an Iowa State Fair fanatic and attended almost daily. He loved the thrill seeker rides and of course, the food. He also had a love for custom motorcycles. He had beautiful custom bikes which he enjoyed riding and spent a number of years making the annual trek to Sturgis, SD, with his friends and family. Ken loved classic cars, Corvettes, traveling, artwork, gardening, landscaping, collecting, spending time at his home in Florida and more.

Ken is survived by his wife, Darla, immediate family; son, Jim Stone; daughter, Jessica (James) Ruebsam; son, Scott Peters (Gwen Olney); grandchildren, Matthew, Trenton, Harry, Rosie, Charlie, Dylan, Ethan and Megan. Great-grandchildren; Gabriel, Rowan and Harrison, and his brother, David Stone; plus numerous extended family members and dear friends.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Vivian Stone, a sister Charlotte Draman, brother-in-law Raymond Draman and a nephew Christopher Draman.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or EveryStep Grief & Loss Services.

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