Kenneth V. Northness
October 18, 2014
Kenneth V. Northness, 69, died on October 18, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. A funeral service and celebration of his life will be held on Friday, October 24, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Ambrose Cathedral, 607 High Street, Des Moines, Iowa. Visitation will be held Thursday, October 23 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Private family committal services of the cremated remains will take place at a later date.
Kenneth was born on June 17, 1945 in New Hampton, Iowa to Elroy and Leonita Northness. He graduated from high school in New Hampton and earned his B.S. at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and his M.S.E. at Drake University in Des Moines. He married Rosemarie Mancuso in Toms River, New Jersey on July 13, 1968.
Kenneth spent his career in education, teaching mathematics for 45 years at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines. He enjoyed the outdoors and working on many projects to keep his home in perfect shape. He also enjoyed traveling and camping in many parts of the USA with his wife and family.
He is survived by his wife, Rosemarie; his children and their families, David (Cheryl) of Des Moines, Michael (Lauren) of Clive, Jeffrey (Jennifer) of Cedar Rapids, and Katherine (Reese Turner) of Altoona; grandchildren, Taylor, Megan, Cameron, Samuel, Graham, and Miles; his sisters, Donna Whalen of Eyota, Minnesota, Karol Smith of Lordes, Iowa, and Karen Snyder of Anamosa, Iowa. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, John.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Ambrose Cathedral. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuenralHome.com.
Stephanie Miller (DHS '95)
11/20/2014
Praying for your family at this time of loss. Ken was one of the best teachers at Dowling. Had him for 3 years of math, starting with 8th grade algebra, and his patience was amazing. His ability to come up with a different way to help you understand, and his willingness to help, come to mind when I think of Mr. Northness. God bless your family and know that Ken touched a lot of lives.
Michael Formanek
10/31/2014
Mr Northness taught me for three years. He was truly one of the greatest teachers I have ever had through all of my years in school.
Misha (McCurnin) Kromkowski
10/28/2014
An amazing teacher in every way. He made me love math and I looked forward to his class! My thoughts and prayers are with the family. (DHS '94)
Andrea (Gabriel) Simpson
10/27/2014
Mr. Northness was my Algebra I & II teacher at Dowling High School during the mid 80's. He was a dedicated, patient teacher who truly cared for his students. I absolutely hated math but I never dreaded going to his class! Mr. Northness is one of those few teachers I'll never forget!
Mark McElherne (DHS 1970)
10/26/2014
Mr. Northness was my Geometry teacher at the old Dowling High School. I agree with John S.Chambers. Ken Northness was a kind and patient teacher. If it weren't for him, I doubt I would have passed Geometry. My heartfelt sympathy goes to his family and friends. His loss at the age of only 69 is way too soon to say good-bye to such a good man.
Jennifer (Hermann) Jorgensen (DCHS '87)
10/24/2014
I have such great memories of Mr. Northness from teaching me two years of math at Dowling. He was a very kind man. Your family is in my prayers.
JoAnn (Stefani) Lyons
10/24/2014
Mr. Northness was my Algebra II and Trig. teacher at Dowling and he drove the bus to pick up Dowling students on the south side of Des Moines. We talked on the bus and we talked in math class. He was a wonderful teacher and a great person (and bus driver!). Dowling High School holds great memories for me and one of them is Mr. Northness!
john s. chambers
10/23/2014
i'm so sorry to learn of ken's passing. i was a student of ken's at the "old" dowling in the late '60's.
as discreetly as i can state it - there were some teachers at dowling who were "stinkers". but, ken (mr. northness as how we addressed him) was kind, compassionate, soft-spoken, patient, knowledgable, mentoring. i never saw him hit , yell or demean a student. i struggled with algebra/trig but, he worked with me and i got a decent grade.
his 45 years of teaching obviously shows his committment. my dad was a physician for 40 years and i thought that was a long time.
ken and i also share another commonality as i graduated from loras in 1974.
he surely will be missed. my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
sincerely,
john s. chambers
Bill McCollaugh
10/23/2014
A close friend for so many years!! It is sad to know he is gone but he is in a pain free place!
Mary Kay Conley
10/23/2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you on the passing of your father. Hopefully, the wonderful memories of him will sustain you in the future.
Libby Weidner Tate
10/22/2014
Hi Northness family-I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Mr. Northness as always being so friendly And watching out for all us neighborhood kids. Thinking of you and praying for all of you.
Jerry Miller (DHS 84)
10/22/2014
Mr. Northness was a wonderful teacher. He never took himself too seriously and made what should have been boring mind numbing algebra fun and interesting.
Stephanie Zavala Baren (DHS 92)
10/22/2014
I am sorry for your loss and will keep your family in my prayers. I loved having Mr. Northness as a teacher and will always have fond memories of his classes.
Kelly Reynolds
10/22/2014
My thoughts go out to you and your family for your loss. Hold your head high and remember all the wonderful times shared together, he will always be looking over you even when you dont think he is...
Natelle Wick Halaczkiewicz (DHS 96)
10/22/2014
I am so sorry for you loss. Mr. Northness was an amazing teacher-unbelievably kind and patient. I wish he could have taught every math class I took. I can only imagine when he was that wonderful at school, what a terrible loss you must be suffering of a husband, father and grandfather. My prayers to your family.