Kenneth "Kenny" Duane Bell

Kenneth "Kenny" Duane Bell, age 79, passed peacefully with his children and grandson by his side on July 11, 2026, after a recent diagnosis of metastatic cancer.

Ken was born on March 1, 1947, in Austin, MN to George Allen and Wilma Charlotte (King) Bell. He grew up in Austin, MN and graduated from Austin High School in 1965. He enlisted in the US Army that fall and was with the 505th Infantry Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Third US Army, Company B, 2nd Battalion Airborne as an elite paratrooper. He served his country during Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1967 after being injured in the line of duty for which he was awarded The Purple Heart. He returned to Austin working various jobs until he embarked on a 41-year career in the wood shop at Streaters Fixtures in Albert Lea, retiring in 2009.

He married Karen Goskesen on March 9, 1968. To this union, two children were born, Matthew and Elaine. Their union ended in divorce in 1981. He was then united in marriage to Janet (Hauge) Wakefield in 1983. They later divorced in 1986. Then he reunited with his high school sweetheart, Yvonne (Thiele) Halverson. They picked up where things left off all those years ago and rekindled a love never forgotten. They were united in marriage on April 7, 1990. The two of them had 21 years together before Yvonne passed on August 17, 2011.

After retirement, he stayed busy helping as a crossing guard for the City of Austin, a donut delivery driver for Hy-Vee, and lots of service work. Over his lifetime he was involved with the Albert Lea Jaycees, Albert Lea Trades & Labor, Austin Lions Club, Austin American Legion, and Austin VFW. He was visible at the demolition derbies and ring toss booth at the Freeborn County Fair, in local parades, sales at the beer garden at the Mower County Fair, and selling concessions at the Austin Packers’ football games. Ken was instrumental in getting the Veterans’ Memorial at the Austin Government Center. At Christmas time, he and Yvonne could be hired to dress up as Santa and Mrs. Claus to attend parties and visit families. He had a heart of gold, was always willing to lend a hand, and was a friend a friend would love to have.

Ken enjoyed staying busy. He always had something to do or somewhere to go. He was usually outside fixing something, tending to the yard, in his wood shop, hunting the elusive woodchuck in the backyard, or taking his boat out to find a good fishing hole.

Survivors include his children, Matthew Bell (Michael Garza), Holmen, WI, Elaine (Paul) Wieser, Albert Lea, MN; step-daughters, Maria (David) Sanders, Amboy, MN, and Bridgette Wellendorf, The Woodlands, TX; grandchildren, Thomas (Sierra) Erickson, Freeborn, MN, Zachary Wieser, Albert Lea, MN, Ashleigh Wieser, Albert Lea, MN, Braedan Wellendorf, The Woodlands, TX, Kailee Wellendorf, The Woodlands, TX, Bradley (Melissa) Sanders, Dallas, TX, Brittany Nash, Colorado Springs, CO, Louie (Brooke) Sanders, Willow Creek, MN, Nicole Sanders, Thomas (Tonya) Sanders, Amboy, MN; brother-in-law, Galen (Teri) Thiele, Bella Vista, AK; sister-in-law, Kris Thiele, Rochester, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and cherished cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Yvonne Thiele-Bell; parents, George and Wilma Bell; mother and father-in-law, Joe and Evelyn Thiele; step mother-in-law, Georgia (Dolly) Wesely; sister, Karen Karas; brother-in-law, Jerome Thiele; and sister-in-law, Ann Thiele.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea and Mayo Clinic Hospice for their care and support of Ken over the last few months.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin, Minnesota. A visitation with a viewing will take place from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin. A visitation will continue one hour prior to Mass on Wednesday. Inurnment will take place after the memorial service in Calvary Cemetery in Austin, Minnesota. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.