Kenneth Uhlenhopp

Kenneth Uhlenhopp, 84, of Hampton, passed away on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at his home in Hampton. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Dumont Reformed Church on Saturday, June 6th 2026. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home in Hampton. 

Kenneth Lee Uhlenhopp was born on February 25, 1941, to Heinie and Marge (Gerhardt) Uhlenhopp. He grew up in Dumont and graduated from Dumont High School in 1959.

On September 2, 1960, Ken was united in marriage to Carryl Jurgena at Salem EUB Church in Dumont. Together they shared a devoted life and celebrated 65 years of marriage this year.

Ken was a member of the Dumont Reformed Church.

Ken drove truck and was a hog buyer for Farmland Foods, drove school bus, operated a lawn mower sales and service business from their acreage near Dumont, and later drove bus for Jefferson Bus Lines. He also enjoyed small engine repair and took pride in working on lawn mowers and maintaining a meticulous yard.

Ken loved the outdoors. Fishing was his passion, and he caught many trophy-sized fish over the years. Ken and Carryl made yearly trips north to Bowstring Lake, a tradition he treasured. During the winter months, Ken could often be found making his own fishing lures. Ken also enjoyed hunting, and golfing. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and especially enjoyed “helping” Pat Murphy coach the Alabama softball team from the comfort of his easy chair. He enjoyed playing snooker and was particularly proud of his snooker table.

Above all, Ken appreciated life’s simple gifts. He was deeply grateful for even the smallest acts of kindness, especially help with things he could no longer do himself.

Ken is survived by his wife, Carryl Uhlenhopp; his son, Kirk Uhlenhopp (special friend Melissa Frick) of West Des Moines, and Kirk’s children: Kyle (Ashley) Uhlenhopp of Wellington, Colorado; Karter (Rachel) Uhlenhopp of Dubuque; and daughter Kelly (Kent) Johnson of Woodbury, Minnesota, and their children Alex Johnson of Oakdale, MN and Lauren (Jack) Dougherty of Sheffield, England. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Archer and Rynlee, both of Colorado, a great grandson and great granddaughter to arrive in 2026.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jim and Robert Uhlenhopp; sisters-in-law, Judy and Kay Uhlenhopp; and a granddaughter, Kenlee Sue Uhlenhopp.