Kaylan Abel

Kaylan Arthur Abel, 87, of Spencer, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at his home. Kaylan was born on Nov. 26, 1936, to Arthur and Marian (Plautz) in Spencer. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Royal where he continued as a faithful member throughout his childhood and much of his adult life.

Kaylan grew up on a farm near Linn Grove and attended Greenville-Rossie High School. Upon graduation in 1954, he attended Bethany Lutheran College where he was active in choir, theater and baseball. It was here he met his future wife. Kaylan and Lorraine (Penning) were united in marriage on Sept. 14, 1958. After earning his A.A. degree, Kaylan enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Richland, Washington. After serving two years, he and Lorraine returned to Iowa to take up farming and raise a family of four in rural Linn Grove. After Lorraine’s death in February of 2006, Kaylan was united in marriage to Phyllis Augustine, long time member of Christ the King in November of 2006. They spent time enjoying church work, their grandchildren, and travelling.

Kaylan was a faithful servant to the church and community. He served as Sunday school superintendent at Trinity Lutheran Church and was president of the congregation at Christ the King Lutheran Church. He played an instrumental role in establishing Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School where he served as school board president for many years. He also served as school board president for Sioux Valley High School-Linn Grove/Peterson. Kaylan was a long-standing member of the Lutheran Laymen’s League and held several leadership roles. He attended numerous National Conventions for the LLL and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and managed the LLL booth at the Clay County fair.

In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, bowling and sports. He loved music and participated in church choir at every opportunity. He was an avid reader and spent countless hours studying Scripture and pouring over Lutheran doctrine and theology.

Kaylan loved his Lord, his family and his church. His continuous prayer was that the Word and Sacraments be rightly preached and administered in the church on Earth, and that all people come to know Jesus Christ as their redeemer and comforter.

He is proceeded in death by parents Arthur and Marian Abel, brother Darwin Abel, wife Lorraine Abel and wife Phyllis Abel.

Left to cherish his memory are his children Lynette and Brad Bernardy, David and Lori Abel, Dwayne Abel and Douglas Abel. Grandchildren Derek and Christina Abel, Nolan and Torie Abel, LeAnne and Tim Hamrick, Kristen and Brandon Brustad, Nicole and Justin Doyle, Kerri and Joshua Allen, Michael Jones. Step-children Sandy and Steve Strenecky, Tammy and Pastor Mike Knox, and Julie and Ron DenOuden and many great grandchildren. Sister Mary Ann Abel and brother Arlan and Karin Abel, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews and friends.