Kenneth Leroy Alvarez

Kenneth Leroy Alvarez, 59, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, of natural causes at his residence. 

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, August 30, 2024, at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel (1801 Morningside Ave.) with a visitation taking place one hour prior. Burial will follow at Graceland Park Cemetery. 

Ken was born on December 4, 1964, in Sioux City, Iowa, to John “Mick” and Marvena (Petzoldt) Alvarez. He graduated from East High School in 1983 and received his bachelor’s degree from UNI in 1989. 

He worked at HyVee for 32 years, starting in the bakery at the Southern Hills Mall location. He later moved to the Hamilton store, where he most recently worked in the meat department. 

Ken was a hardworking, funny, sarcastic, stubborn, witty, caring guy who was an expert in world history and a die-hard Vikings fan. He enjoyed going to antique stores and traveling. He also loved his dog, Sugar. 

Left behind on this earth to remember and miss Kenny every day are his sister, Brenda Alvarez, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John “Mick” and Marvena; grandparents, John and Glendora Alvarez, and Edward and Hazel Petzoldt; and three cousins, Tony Alvarez, Debi Alvarez, and Michael Scott Irwin.