Howard M. Kenfield

Howard & Harvey Kenfield’s Story Set in Stone

Howard M. Kenfield, of Ogallala, passed away 3 days shy of his 95th birthday, on March 3, 2023, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Howard was born on March 6, 1928, along with his twin brother, Harvey, in Albion, Nebraska, to John and Ella (Fritzen) Kenfield. He graduated from Brule High School with the class of 1946.

Howard was drafted into the Army four years after graduating high school, and he served in Korea during his time in the military. After returning to Ogallala, Howard worked at Goodall Electric for 42 years before retiring in 1988.

In 1975, Howard married Glenva Keith, and with that union, Howard gained a son, Michael.

After returning from their tour of duty in Korea, Howard and Harvey built several homes in the area, one of which was for their mother where they took good care of her. Howard was a hard worker who, alongside his brother, maintained their property and always had a nice landscaped yard that was well-manicured.

Howard and Harvey were skilled artists who spent countless hours collecting Indian artifacts, Petrified Wood and other rare and unique lapidary artifacts. They both had a fondness for the Midwest and the old barns. This fondness gave them the inspiration to create the Petrified Wood Pictures and Music boxes. This undoubtedly is the most unique and one of a kind collection in the world.

In 2000, Howard, alongside his brother, established the Kenfield Gallery. Howard donated his personal collection of art work to the gallery. He continued to collect artifacts for 65 years and was a well-respected collector and artist. Howard and Harvey donated the gallery to the community and subsequently formed a non-profit organization to manage it.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Glenva; four sisters, Dorothy (Max) Sanford, Donna (Clarence) Burnside, Ruby (Leslie) Edwards, and Margaret (Hubert) LeZotte; as well as a brother, Robert (Helen) Kenfield; a sister-in-law Glenda Kenfield a Niece Melinda Beckler; Nephews Norman Burnside and Steve Edwards.

Survivors include brother Harvey Kenfield of Ogallala, his son, Michael (Carrie) Keith of Ogallala; grandchildren Ashley (Carl) Olson, Andrea (Travis) Sullivan and Adam (Brittney) Keith; great grandchildren Ryker, Deklan, Anna, Bentley, Penelope, Cadence and Ashten along with several nieces and nephews.

Memorials are suggested to the Petrified Wood Gallery and or the First Congregational United Church of Christ, in memory of Howard. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.

Services will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Ogallala, with Pastor Lisa Hadler officiating. Interment with military honors will be in the Ogallala Cemetery, with the Keith County Veterans Organization providing military honors.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.

credit: https://www.prairiehillsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/howard-kenfield

credit: Gretchen Garrison: Oct 20, 2017

An interview of Harvey and Howard Kenfield at the Petrified Wood Gallery in Ogallala, Nebraska, on September 2nd, 2016. Gretchen Garrison of “Odyssey Through Nebraska” is the one behind the camera. Obviously, I am not a videographer, but I was thrilled when Harvey Kenfield agreed to let me interview him. This is part of his story about the Petrified Wood Gallery in Ogallala, Nebraska. He and his brother, Howard, have their collection of petrified wood artwork on display at this gallery.

A Story Set in Stone

The charming folk art of the Kenfield brothers. Ninety-three-year-old twin brothers Howard and Harvey Kenfield have been avid collectors of fossils, arrowheads, and petrified wood since the 1950s. For 50 years, the twins created intricate sculptures out of petrified wood that are all on display at their gallery in Ogallala. These soft-spoken twins will charm you and their art will wow you.