Howard Storlie Ronken, 79, of Kenyon, died Thursday, November 14, 2019 at Zumbrota Care Center. He was born May 4, 1940 in Rochester, Minnesota the son of Harvey and Maxine (Howard) Ronken. He grew up in Spring Valley where he graduated from high school in 1958. He served in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1963. On March 26, 1961, he married Joyce Vrieze in Chester, Iowa. The couple made their home in Mountain Home, Idaho where Howard was stationed. Following his military service, they moved to Spring Valley where he began working for People's Natural Gas. The gas company expanded to Kenyon and Howard continued working for them. He then began his trucking career by hauling milk, trucking agricultural products, and in the 1970's began hauling heavy equipment for Midwest Specialized Transportation until his retirement in 2010. Howard was most well known for his ability to tell stories. He also enjoyed camping and fishing. He was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenyon, the Jaycees and the Pioneer Power group of Le Sueur. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Ronken of Kenyon; daughter, Chris Ronken of Faribault; son, Scott Ronken of Kenyon; siblings, Emore (and Bonnie) Ronken of Rochester, Victor (and Jo) Ronken of Rochester, Sharon (and Vernon) Jahn of Minneapolis, Evelyn Rios of Denver, Lois (and Terry) Peterson of Brainerd and Betty (and Perry) Bowen of Burnsville; sister-in-law, Kathy Ronken of Spring Valley and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Maxine; brothers, James and Gary Ronken and brother-in-law, Chuck Bennett. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home, Kenyon on Monday from 4:00-7:00 PM and at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kenyon on Tuesday from 10:00-11:00 AM. Funeral services will be held November 19, 2019 at 11:00 AM at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kenyon with Pastor Julie Rogness officiating. Interment will be in the Kenyon Cemetery in Kenyon with military honors by the Kenyon Color Guard.