Kenneth R. Etherton, 88, of Gothenburg, formerly of Cozad, NE, passed away March 18, 2017 at Hilltop Estates.

Ken was born February 11, 1929 south of Cozad, NE, son of Henry and Grace (Mills) Etherton.

Ken grew up south of Cozad where he attended District 29 school and later graduated from Cozad High School with the class of 1946. Ken married Betty Peterson on September 26, 1954 at the Evangelical Free Church in Gothenburg.

Ken served in the Army during the Korean war. Upon his return from the Army, Ken raised hogs and cattle and farmed south of Cozad with his brother Lloyd. He was a member of the Evangelical Free church, the Cozad VFW, and the American Legion. He was a past District School 29 board member, secretary/treasurer at the Evangelical Free Church, and seed corn dealer for Jacobson Seed Company. Ken enjoyed spending time with all of his family. He had a love for anything that had to do with meat, from the butchering to the barbeque.

Surviving are wife, Betty Etherton of Gothenburg, NE, three daughters, Koya (Garnold) Kreft of Cozad, NE, Ginger (Craig) Gies of Lincoln, NE, Holly (Mark) Ballmer of Gothenburg, NE, six grandchildren, Kaleb (Amanda) Kreft of Lincoln, Rachel (Gregory) Franklin of Murfreesboro, TN, Luke (Jenna) Ballmer of Kearney, Brooke (Josh) Kendle of Lincoln, Olivia Gies of Lincoln, and Madison Gies of Minneapolis, MN, and 1 great-grandchild Grayson of Lincoln.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Violet Brooks, brother Lloyd Etherton, brother-in-law Pete Brooks, and sister-in-law Lucille Peterson.

Services will be held at Evangelical Free Church, Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 11:00 am with Pastor Scott Newman officiating. Interment will take place in the Fairview Cemetery south of Cozad at 9:00 am on Wednesday, March 22, 2017. Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.