Kenneth Robert Cravens

Kenneth Cravens, age 78, of Cottonwood, Minnesota, died peacefully with family at his side on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at the Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center. Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2024, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation will be held 2 hours before his celebration, from Noon – 2:00 p.m. of Friday, May 10, also at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Attendees are then invited out to the family farm from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. for a reception.

Kenneth Robert Cravens was born on March 28, 1945, in Tracy, Minnesota. He was the son of James and Dorothy (Kriebs) Cravens. Ken grew up on the family farm near Cottonwood, Minnesota. He was baptized as an infant and confirmed in his youth at the Swan Lake Evangelical Free Church. 

Ken graduated from Cottonwood High School with the class of 1963 and went on to South Dakota State University where he studied agriculture for four years. Ken went on to work for Montgomery Ward retail stores in 1966. He managed stores in Watertown (SD), Rochester (MN), and Dubuque (IA), before coming back to settle on his family farm in 1978. Ken went back to his love of farming and was proud to care for his century farm until his retirement in 2021.

In September of 1969 Ken was united in marriage to Claudia Johnson in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The couple spent 55 years of marriage together and raised three children: Eve, Chad, and Paul.

Ken enjoyed traveling with Claudia, often visiting their children. He was also an avid golfer and was quite dedicated to his local golf course where he served on the board of the Cottonwood Country Club.

Kenneth Cravens died peacefully on Sunday, February 25, 2024, in Marshall, Minnesota. He had reached the age of 78 years, 10 months, and 28 days. Blessed be his memory.

He is survived by his wife Claudia Cravens of Cottonwood; 3 children, Eve (and Dave) Lentsch of Wentworth, SD, Chad (and Jill) Cravens of Waconia, Paul (and Lisa) Cravens of Eagleville, TN; 8 grandchildren, Dustin (and Haley) Lentsch, Zane Lentsch, Thomas (and Halle) Cravens, Benjamin Cravens, Sarah Cravens, Anna Kolb, Emily Kolb, Kaden (and Hannah) Milne; 4 great-grandchildren, Adaline, Greyson, Remi Jo, Rhett; brother, Larry Cravens of Cottonwood; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, James and Dorothy Cravens.