1915
Kenneth
2015
Kenneth E. Lein
October 31, 1915 — September 30, 2015
Kenneth Eugene Lein, age 99, of rural Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, September 30, 2015, at PioneerCare, where he had resided since January of 2015.
He was born on October 31, 1915, to Oscar and Lena (Fjestad) Lein. He was baptized and confirmed at Hedemarken Lutheran Church, rural Carlisle. He attended District III (Lein School) through eighth grade, and then graduated in 1933 from Fergus Falls High School. Kenneth farmed with his dad on the land his grandfather Casper Lein homesteaded around 1870. Ken enjoyed big band music and played saxophone and clarinet in a dance band with his cousin, Chester Lein, at several area locations in the 1930’s and 1940’s.
On June 20, 1942, he married Helen Haugrud of rural Pelican Rapids. They were blessed with three children. Helen and Kenneth purchased and continued to operate the home farm. Helen passed away in 2004, after 62 years of marriage.
Kenneth was a careful steward of the land and in 1950 he received the Minnesota Star Tribune Soil Saver Award for strip crop practices, which are still in use.
As a lifelong member of Hedemarken Lutheran Church, Kenneth served faithfully in various capacities including church boards and Sunday School Superintendent and teacher. Kenneth also served on local area boards, including Carlisle Elevator, Elizabeth Creamery, Oscar Township and school.
He enjoyed fishing and hunting in early years, but later preferred the enjoyment of watching wildlife and feeding birds. He loved playing cribbage and pitching horseshoes. He was an avid reader. He liked listening to music, especially jazz. For over 60 years, he played clarinet with the Carlisle Band. He was skilled at carpentry and woodworking and as a hobby he made clocks and furniture. Ken’s attitude was very positive, warm and generous. He was a friend to all.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Lena; an infant sister, Ellen; his wife, Helen; a daughter, Barbara Wentzel; and an infant grandson, Josiah Wentzel.
He is survived by his daughter, Joyce (Verlyn) Dalbak of Springfield, MO; his son, Keith (Linda) Lein of Fergus Falls; his son-in-law, Craig Wentzel of Edmore, ND; six grandchildren, Debra (Bryan) Krusniak of Kirksville, MO, Dana Dalbak of Bloomington, IL, Abby (Joshua) Nimerfroh of Sauk Rapids, MN, Faith Wentzel of Park River, ND, Kristofer Lein and Matthew Lein of Fergus Falls; six great-grandchildren, Lara, Aaron, and Miles Krusniak and Grace, Josiah and Elijah Nimerfroh; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and others, too numerous to mention.
Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 5:00-7:00 PM on Sunday, October 4, 2015, at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls and one hour prior to the service at Hedemarken Church in rural Carlisle
Service: 1:30 PM on Monday, October 5, 2015, at Hedemarken Church in rural Carlisle
Clergy: Reverend Craig Wentzel
Interment: Hedemarken Lutheran Cemetery
He was born on October 31, 1915, to Oscar and Lena (Fjestad) Lein. He was baptized and confirmed at Hedemarken Lutheran Church, rural Carlisle. He attended District III (Lein School) through eighth grade, and then graduated in 1933 from Fergus Falls High School. Kenneth farmed with his dad on the land his grandfather Casper Lein homesteaded around 1870. Ken enjoyed big band music and played saxophone and clarinet in a dance band with his cousin, Chester Lein, at several area locations in the 1930’s and 1940’s.
On June 20, 1942, he married Helen Haugrud of rural Pelican Rapids. They were blessed with three children. Helen and Kenneth purchased and continued to operate the home farm. Helen passed away in 2004, after 62 years of marriage.
Kenneth was a careful steward of the land and in 1950 he received the Minnesota Star Tribune Soil Saver Award for strip crop practices, which are still in use.
As a lifelong member of Hedemarken Lutheran Church, Kenneth served faithfully in various capacities including church boards and Sunday School Superintendent and teacher. Kenneth also served on local area boards, including Carlisle Elevator, Elizabeth Creamery, Oscar Township and school.
He enjoyed fishing and hunting in early years, but later preferred the enjoyment of watching wildlife and feeding birds. He loved playing cribbage and pitching horseshoes. He was an avid reader. He liked listening to music, especially jazz. For over 60 years, he played clarinet with the Carlisle Band. He was skilled at carpentry and woodworking and as a hobby he made clocks and furniture. Ken’s attitude was very positive, warm and generous. He was a friend to all.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Lena; an infant sister, Ellen; his wife, Helen; a daughter, Barbara Wentzel; and an infant grandson, Josiah Wentzel.
He is survived by his daughter, Joyce (Verlyn) Dalbak of Springfield, MO; his son, Keith (Linda) Lein of Fergus Falls; his son-in-law, Craig Wentzel of Edmore, ND; six grandchildren, Debra (Bryan) Krusniak of Kirksville, MO, Dana Dalbak of Bloomington, IL, Abby (Joshua) Nimerfroh of Sauk Rapids, MN, Faith Wentzel of Park River, ND, Kristofer Lein and Matthew Lein of Fergus Falls; six great-grandchildren, Lara, Aaron, and Miles Krusniak and Grace, Josiah and Elijah Nimerfroh; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and others, too numerous to mention.
Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 5:00-7:00 PM on Sunday, October 4, 2015, at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls and one hour prior to the service at Hedemarken Church in rural Carlisle
Service: 1:30 PM on Monday, October 5, 2015, at Hedemarken Church in rural Carlisle
Clergy: Reverend Craig Wentzel
Interment: Hedemarken Lutheran Cemetery
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kenneth E. Lein, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, October 5, 2015
12:30 - 1:30 pm (Eastern time)
Hedemarken Lutheran Church
Service
Monday, October 5, 2015
Starts at 1:30 pm (Eastern time)
Hedemarken Lutheran Church
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