Kenneth Lee Nihart, 92, of Austin, died Monday, March 9, 2015, at Our House Assisted Living, Austin.

He was born Oct. 30, 1922, in Dover, Minnesota, to Lawrence and Anna (Johnson) Nihart. Kenneth attended Dover schools, and made his living as a farmer and as a laborer at Hormel Foods Corporation for 38 years, retiring in 1980. He was also a school bus driver for Austin Transportation for 14 years. On Nov. 19, 1944, Kenneth was united in marriage to Elvera Olstad at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. The couple raised three children. In the early years of their marriage, the Niharts lived in Blooming Prairie. Kenneth served his country in the U.S. Army from March 1945 until his honorable discharge in 1946, when he and Elvera moved to Austin. A lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW, he also belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Moose Lodge, and Crane Community Chapel. Ken enjoyed camping and traveling. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Kenneth is survived by his daughter Barbara Flom of Glencoe, Minnesota; his five grandchildren, his great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; siblings Margaret Condon of Lyle, Minnesota, Lois Papenfus of Concord, California, Billy (Bev) Nihart of Remer, Minnesota, Lawrence (Betty) Nihart of Babbitt, Minnesota, Lynn (Barbara) Nihart of Ely, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Anna Nihart; his wife Elvera ‘Ione’ Nihart in 2006; two sons: Kermit and Michael; one brother Don Nihart; and sister-in-law Margaret Williamson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2015, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with Pastor Dale Christiansen officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at Worlein Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Austin. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to recipient of donor’s choice. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.