Ken entered this world at his parent’s home in East Fairview, North Dakota on December 16, 1941. He attended a small rural school for the primary grades, then onto East Fairview and graduated from Fairview High School. He then left for California to serve in the National Guard. He also attended Gale Institute for Engineering Drafting in Minneapolis, Minnesota and graduated top of his class. He was meticulous in his drafting projects. He also worked at the Big Bend Dam in South Dakota where he soon became Foreman for his dependability and skill. He came back to Fairview to help on his dad’s farm which rekindled his love of the land. However, he made one more move. This time, to Denver, Colorado to work at Gardner-Denver, a large company focused on producing major engineering projects. The plant put him on a work-study program as an apprentice to earn a full engineering degree.

He had been in love with one girl since the age of 15 and kept his eye on her as she complet-ed her schooling and college years. They happened to be in Denver at the same time and on a romantic date to a fancy restaurant at the top of the Denver Mountain – he proposed, she accepted. They soon moved back to Fairview when a worn out, depleted old farm came up for sale. A challenge for sure.

Ken was determined to build the farm up and bring it to a productive level. It took a lifetime of hard work and planning. And now, Blue Carriage Farm is beautiful and productive in its 60th year. The 24’ by 28’ house has been added on to four times! Ken loved being able to put up a new building. He accomplished this seven times through the years. He was a skilled planner and carpenter. One of his many projects was the design and building on the iron arch leading into the football field – Star Field.

Ken and Stephanie were always involved with horses. Ken’s favorite horse was his black and white Appaloosa stallion, Buckshot, who he trained to do many tricks. They had a special relationship. Later, he did futurities with yearling colts and even qualified one to be in the Denver Stock Show. Later in life, his interest turned to horse drawn equipment, and he started building carriages and training horses to pull them. His favorite is a huge pine wag-on he designed and built that was pulled by his beautiful Belgian team Barney and Clyde – doing many parades, trail rides and exhibitions. Another interest was playing competitive pool with Ron Shaide and they were champions many times over. Ken and Stephanie mo-torcycled for over 25 years through the Black Hills and as far as California. In these later years, he would not miss an afternoon of cribbage with his good friend, Gene Sondeno, and they loved talking rodeo. Life was always full (and he never missed a show of Gunsmoke).

Ken and Stephanie were married for 11 years before having children, so the honeymoon lasted a long time. They were finally blessed with three children – Shannon, Casey and Rob-in, all of whom he loved very much. Eventually, four special grandchildren came along – Xander, Brock, Audrina, and Jake. Life was full and they were dearly loved.

Shortly before Ken passed, he wanted to say a prayer for them. He said it out loud while holding Stphanie’s hand, and it was the most beautiful and sincere prayer. A man of quiet, yet strong faith in God.

After 61 years together, I am so grateful he chose me as his partner in life. It has been a wonderful journey. I will miss him beyond words.

Surviving Ken is his wife Stephanie; three children Shannon, Casey (Kim), and Robin; grandchildren Xander, Brock, Audrina, and Jake; brothers Don and Harold; sisters Linda Soderlind and Charlene Hogarty; nephews Mike Hogarty, Dirk Schlothauer (Godson), and David Soderlind; and his nieces Kelly Garcia, Vicki Schlothauer (Godchild), Lonna Quast, Katy Hogarty, Cynthia Knoll (Godchild), Kim Hogarty, and Erica Soderlind.