Kenneth Eugene Kolls

Kenneth Eugene Kolls flourished from August 28, 1941 until his passing in Fayetteville, AR on April 27, 2025. Born to Reuben and Erma in Harvard, Illinois, he grew up on the family farm with older brothers, Robert and Ron. On November 8, 1959 he married his life-long friend, Karen Elizabeth Kooistra. Father of three; Heidi, Kelly, and Kent, he and Karen were honored to raise two of their children, mourning Kelly who passed away in infancy. He was a devoted and much loved grandfather to Karen and Jacqueline. His fatherly love extended to his son-in-law Bart, Rotary exchange daughter, Benedict, and longtime caregiver to his mother, Luba.

His work life was one of service. As a young father he helped out on the family farm, pumped gas at the local Shell station and became a tool and die maker at Starline, Inc. He worked his way up to become the night supervisor of the factory for many years. Eventually, his entrepreneurial desires took hold. Ken, along with his son, Kent, and cousin, Al Yates started NAPA stores in Richmond, IL and Twin Lakes, WI. Together, he and Kent ran the business for almost 30 years.

He gave back to his community in many ways. As a young man, he became a volunteer member of the Harvard Rescue Squad. While serving in the squad, he trained in the first EMT class of McHenry County, Illinois. His service continued as a member of the Alden-Hebron School Board, president and Paul Harris Award recipient of the Richmond Rotary Club, and was Man of the Year for the Harvard Jaycees.

In retirement, he became a big rig driver, driving his wife around the country in their various RV’s. They loved spending days on the open road from Alaska to Florida; from California to New Jersey.

As he and Karen prepared for their later years, they moved to Fayetteville, AR creating a new family “farm” when they purchased a home next-door to their daughter. Ken was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020. He valiantly faced the changes to his body, enjoying the simple things like daily walks to the mailbox, keeping a vigilant eye on the neighborhood from his living room chair, and dropping tasty food scraps to his eager grand dog, Scout.

Ken lived a beautiful life, left this place much better than he found it, and is deeply missed.