Kenneth D Luellen

Kenneth Dall Luellen, son of Sam & Elzada Luellen, was born March 21, 1932 in Bertha, Missouri. He was 1 of 12 children. Kenneth passed away at the Eastern Nebraska Veterans home on November 20, 2025 at the age of 93.

Kenneth's childhood nickname was Penny. He always walked at the end of the line and would pick up a penny that everyone else in front of him had missed. Kenneth left his home in Missouri to go to work at the early age of 13. He ended up in Idaho working in the fish hatcheries and sending money home to the family. Kenneth returned to Mountain Grove to finish high school and later was drafted into the Army where he earned his GED. Kenneth served from 1952 - 1954 in South Korea and earned the Korean Service Medal, W2 Braids and Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, ROK, Presidential Unit Citation and Good Conduct Medal. He was a large gun repairman. His hearing was badly affected when a gun went off while he wasn't wearing any hearing protection. Kenneth married Janette Switzer in Nov 1954 and to this union they had 2 children. Nada Bergmann of Louisville, NE and Michael Luellen of MidWest City, Oklahoma. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Nov 28th, 2024 on Thanksgiving Day. Besides working at Ash Grove as an electrician and welder, Kenneth dabbled in buying and selling property--many times surprising Janette which led to some lengthy discussions. He owned a farm and a campground in Missouri, and 7 homes and 5 business buildings in the Louisville area. Kenneth was an avid old time country music lover and an award winning clog dancer. His proudest moments was when his grandchildren joined him clogging on the stage. Kenneth enjoyed working with different mediums like glass etching, wood carving, sandstone sculptures, wood burning, relief carving, jewelry making and polished rocks. Kenneth believed an education was imperative to becoming successful but that experiencing it rather than reading it was the best way to learn it. As a pilot he enjoyed going to fly in breakfast. He was involved in the saddle club and the Bridle and Saddle 4-H club. On the farm west of Louisville, Kenneth enjoyed raising cattle and horses. He also was involved with motorcycle hill climbing, motocross and car racing. Kenneth and family spent many vacations visiting with relatives or camping and boating. Kenneth was the featured speaker at the National Bridge Builders Assn in Pennsylvania for the swinging bridge he built on the farm South of Louisville. When he was asked why he built it there he simply answered -- to get to the other side. Kenneth and his wife Janette was well known by family and friends for being the most helpful and generous couple you would ever know. 

Kenneth is survived by his daughter Nada Bergmann and her children Jennifer Lundgren (Nathan) ((Jackson, Maddox, Easton & Campbell)), Pamela Tuller (Eric) ((Brenden)). Rick Bergmann (Kim). Carter Luellen. Patrick Luellen. Also by his son Michael Luellen (Sharon) and his children Melanie Moore (Matthew) ((Luke, Lydia, Kesed, Korban, Abigail)). Marcus (Megan) ((Hunter, Hudson, Emma)), Stacey (Stephen) Fuller. Sisters- Linda Robbins & Carol (Gerald) Pulliam. Brothers -- Jim & Lawrence and many, many beloved nieces and nephews. 

Kenneth is preceded in death by the love of his life Janette (Switzer) Luellen. Parents -- Samuel & Elzada. Siblings-- Lyle, Edward, Samuel Genevieve, Katherine, Moelia & Ilge. In-laws Gerald & Mary Switzer, Dwayne & Dee Switzer, Gary Switzer. 

There will be a memorial luncheon celebration on November 26th, at 1 pm at the Louisville Senior Civic Center. 

Interment at the Omaha National Cemetery will be at a later date.