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Memorial services for Kenny Kepple Kritenbrink (KKK), age 82, of Chadron, NE will be at 11:30 AM on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron with Dr. Russ Seger officiating.

A memorial has been established for the Chadron American Legion or the Scottsbluff Elks Lodge. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.

Kenny passed away on October 18, 2016 at Fort Meade VA Center in Sturgis, SD. He was born on August 4, 1934 in Whitney, NE. He lived with his parents, Abraham Ray and Geraldine Leola (Cunningham) Kritenbrink until 1954 when he joined the US Navy, serving three years aboard a destroyer, the USS O'Brien, in the Pacific Ocean. Kenny was honorable discharged in 1960.

During his growing up years, he lived in Whitney, NE until 1939 when the family moved to Van Tassell, WY. Kenny attended the first and second grade school. His family moved back to Whitney in 1942 just after World War II had started. Kenny attended the third, fourth and fifth grade school. The family moved to Lusk, WY in 1945 where Kenny attended sixth and seventh grade. The family moved to Chadron, NE in 1948. There he finished his 8th grade and high school education. Kenny worked part-time for the Chadron Greenhouse during his high school years. He drove a dump truck and worked on ranches around the Valentine area.

Kenny became a locomotive fireman in September 1952 on steam engines for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. He retired as locomotive engineer in November 1996 after 44 years of service.

Kenny was a longtime member of the Elks, American Legion and Eagles Club. He also made lifelong donations to the new Huskers Memorial Stadium and has his name and grandsons’ names on the wall in Lincoln, NE. In September 1963, Kenny married Alice Marie Wohlers (divorced) and to this marriage came son Kelly Ray Kritenbrink (Mary Alice) and daughters Ashlee Lynn and Addison Renee, all of Buffalo Gap SD and daughter Kristi Kay Toof (Kurt Kordon) of Fairfield, ND. Grandchildren are Cortnie Lynn Semroska of Rapid City, SD, Nathan Alan Toof of Kearney, NE and Nicholas Kenneth Toof of Chadron, NE. Other survivors include brother Roger (Sally) Kritenbrink of Rapid City, SD, niece Julie, and nephews Steven and Michael.

Kenny enjoyed playing cards, doing Sudoku puzzles (which had to be specifically cut out of the newspaper daily), and scratch-off tickets on a daily basis. Kenny had coffee every morning at McDonald's with his coffee buddies. He enjoyed cutting wood and having the biggest pile of wood that would last winters. He enjoyed keeping up with his grandchildren and their activities and being involved in their lives. He loved them very much. Kenny will always remain in the hearts and memories of his family and friends. Kenny lived all his adult years in Chadron, NE. He was also the engineer that drove the last Chicago and Northwestern train each direction out of Chadron. He loved to tell stories about his train and Navy days. He had many stories from his life, which people all heard many times and enjoyed them every time he told them.

Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements for Kenny Kepple Kritenbrink (KKK).