Kenneth F. Tuttle, 94, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City, Iowa.

Ken was born Nov. 18, 1923, in Riceville, Iowa, to Willie and Marion (Haire) Tuttle. During high school, he was proud to have gone to state in wrestling and in 1943, he graduated from Hampton High School. He went to work at the Geo. A. Hormel Co. after graduation and he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1948 to 1952 during the Korean War. Ken married the love of his life, JoAnn John, on Aug. 23, 1952, at the United Methodist Church in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin.  Ken and JoAnn returned to Austin where he worked for the Geo. A. Hormel Co., retiring after 38 years.

Ken was an avid sportsman and looked forward to hunting and fishing in North Dakota. He enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a proud member of the Civil Air Patrol for 35 years and achieved the rank of Major, commanding the Austin Post where he was involved in many search and rescue efforts. He received his pilot’s license in 1971. He was also a member of Crane Community Chapel.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, JoAnn; grandson, Brian Tuttle; sisters, Ila, Faith and Faye; brothers, Grant and Henry and twin brother, Keith.

Ken is survived by his sons, Neil (Cathy) Tuttle, Orchard, Iowa, Wayne (Lucy) Tuttle, Minot, North Dakota, and Bradley (Lisa) Tuttle, Austin; daughter, LuAnn (Gary) Betcher, Stewartville, Minnesota; grandchildren, Christopher (Danielle) Tuttle, Jennifer (Bill) Preuser, Chad (Rebecca) Tuttle, Tanner Tuttle (Jessi Bushnell), Corey (Teresa) Tuttle, Clayton (Ashley) Tuttle, Jessica Tuttle, Stephanie Tuttle, Jackie Betcher, Paul Betcher; great grandchildren, Dylan, Kelsi, Kyle, Brittney, Kayla, Brianna, Mason, Brinley, Cody, Cayden and Brian; great great grandchildren, Zoey, Rhiley, Hunter, Asia and Freya; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, at Crane Community Chapel with the Rev. Dale Christiansen officiating. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery with Austin American Legion Post 91 in charge of military rites. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. and at the church on Monday for one hour before the service.