Kenneth Henry Van, age 98 of River Falls, Wis., died on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025 at his home in River Falls. Kenneth was born in Plum City, Wis. on Aug. 29, 1927 to Henry G. and Effie (Stockwell) Van Schoonhoven. Ken grew up in the Elmwood, Wis. area and attended school there. In 1945, he enlisted in the Navy. He returned to Elmwood after his discharge but enlisted in the Army a short time later. While stationed at Ft. Belvoir, Va., Ken met Mary Lee Comer of nearby Washington D.C. They married on July 1, 1950 in Maryland. After Kenneth’s discharge from the Army in 1952, the couple moved to River Falls, Wis. Ken worked for and retired from Whirlpool Corporation.
He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings and beloved wife, Mary Lee. He will be missed by his daughter, Penny Van of Hopkins, Minn. A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025 at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E. Division St., River Falls) with visitation from 1-2 p.m. before the service. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
