Dean H. Kerkman

A Celebration of Life service for Dean H. Kerkman, 86, Elwood, Iowa, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Elwood United Methodist Church in Elwood. Burial will be at Elwood Cemetery, with military rites by the Lost Nation American Legion Menzo Widle Post No. 381.
Mr. Kerkman died Friday, May 20, 2011, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
He was born Oct. 9, 1924, on his parents’ farm near Van Horne, Iowa, the son of Hubert and Helen Jenkins Kerkman.
Mr. Kerkman graduated from Van Horne High School at age 16 and attended the University of Iowa and took pre-med courses. While he was in medical school, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in a blood bank in San Antonio. After World War II, Mr. Kerkman returned to the University of Iowa where he studied to be a biology teacher and coach.
His first teaching job was at the Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu in 1948 and 1949. Mr. Kerkman also served in the Korean War. From there he was sent to Fort Riley, and his unit of reserves was discharged one year later.
He served as principal for the Kansas Girls Industrial School at Beloit for three years, then attended Kansas University for 10 years to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology. During these years, he worked as a psychologist at the KU student clinic. Mr. Kerkman also taught a human relations class for seniors and graduate students who would be serving on hospital and business staffs.
Mr. Kerkman served as a Cub Scout leader and Sunflower 4-H Club leader. He was an avid KU sports fan and enjoyed attending football and basketball games. Mr. Kerkman was also a fisherman and camper.
He had also worked for the Peace Corps in Columbia, Mo., at the University of Missouri in 1963 and 1964. In 1978, he and his wife took tours to European countries to study hospitals and nursing homes abroad. In 1994, they moved from Lawrence to the old Wendel farm near Elwood to be closer to his family.
He married Thelma Wendel on June 11, 1950, at the Elwood United Methodist Church. She survives, of Elwood.
Other survivors include a son, Dr. Dennis Kerkman, Platte City, Mo.; two daughters, Renay Kerkman, Chicago, and Amy Kerkman and husband Ken Manaugh, Oak Park, Ill.; and four grandchildren, Ameilia Kerkman, Adam Kerkman, Conrad Manaugh and Benjamin Manaugh.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Evelyn Ohde; a brother, Ralph; and a niece, Jayne Heise.
Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Van Horne.
The family suggests memorials to Camp Courageous of Iowa.
The Carson & Son Funeral And Cremation Services in Maquoketa, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at carsonandson.com.