Kenneth Wayne Garst, the son of Darrell L. Garst and Carrol (Modlin) Garst, was born October 29, 1951 in Mankato, Kansas, and passed away on June 11, 2022 at his home at the age of 70 years, 7 months, and 14 days.
He grew up in the Scandia, Kansas, area, graduating from Scandia High School in 1969. He then attended and graduated from North Central Kansas Area Vocational-Technical School with an associate degree in the Heavy Equipment Operations Program.
Kenneth worked for the Bureau of Reclamation for 37 years starting at Glen Elder Reservoir near Glen Elder, Kansas, and working at Lovewell Reservoir near Webber, Kansas, until his retirement.
On July 1, 1973, he was united in marriage to Christine Nelson and to this union was born: Eric Wayne, Nathan Lee, Deborah Kay, and Sierra Dawn. Kenneth and Christine were divorced in 1999.
Kenneth was a member of the United Methodist Church, Superior Elks Lodge #2197, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Kenneth greatly enjoyed fishing, hunting, and watching NASCAR at home or watching in person at Kansas Speedway.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Darrell and Carrol Garst; brother Dennis Garst; and nephew, Ethan Johnson.
Kenneth is survived by his partner, Karol Moore of Jewell, Kansas; two sons, Eric Garst of Kansas City, Missouri, and Nathan and Lindsey Garst of Kearney, Nebraska; two daughters, Deborah and Steve Bailey of Irlam, England, and Sierra Keever of Topeka, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Kaitlynn Garst, Zachary Garst, Zander Keever, Samantha Garst, Jayden Keever, Maddison Bailey, and Lillie Keever; siblings, Carla Sanpaka of Scandia, Kansas, Kevin Garst of Belleville, Kansas, and Jennifer Maiorana of Manhattan, Kansas; sister-in law, Viola Garst of Scandia, Kansas; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Visitation will be Wednesday June 22, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Kleppinger Funeral Home, Jewell, Kansas.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, June 23, 2022 at the United Methodist Church, Scandia, Kansas, with Pastor Sandra Jellison-Knock officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Riverview Cemetery in Scandia, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to Jewell Chamber of Commerce - Emerson Lake Fireworks in Jewell, Kansas; the UTE Theater in Mankato, Kansas; or the Jewell County EMS Department in Mankato, Kansas.
For online condolences, please visit nuttermortuary.com.