Howard Kenward was born in 1914 to parents Robert and Elsie Kenward and graduated from Mankato High School in 1932. He was drafted into military service in 1941 and served until 1945, during which he traveled domestically to California and Washington state and then overseas to North Africa and Italy—specifically Sicily and Anzio. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart, at which point he was reassigned to a non-combat position. He also contracted malaria. After returning home from the war, he worked for Minnesota Supply Company until he started United Supply with his partners in Mankato. He retired in 1977 and was a member of numerous community organizations such as the VFW, American Legion, Moose Lodge, Disabled American Veterans and Our Saviors Lutheran Church. Howard passed away in 1991 after a car crash.

Howard’s wife, Helen, was born in 1919 to parents Robert and Anna Schostag and graduated from Mankato High School and subsequently Mankato Commercial College. She was a bookkeeper and stenographer for various Mankato businesses and a longstanding member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and library guild. She later joined the Hosana Lutheran Church. Helen moved in with her parents in St. Claire, Minnesota when Howard first left, which meant she drove ten miles to and from Mankato to work every day. Once gas rationing began, though, she moved into an apartment in Mankato. Howard had only married Helen a few months before he was drafted, so shortly after he returned from the war, the couple bought a house in Mankato and began growing their family which ultimately included five children: two sons and three daughters. The sons were Robert and Todd, and their daughters were Ann, Mary and Barbara. With Howard back from service, Helen happily returned home from the workforce to be a devoted wife and soon-to-be mother. Howard’s government stipend as well as his job at an automotive parts company supported the family well. Even though Howard became the new breadwinner of the family, Helen took care of the finances and made sure the family lived within their means.

Helen’s Obituary: https://www.mankatomortuary.com/obituaries/6024596