Kenton Liden

Kenton Liden, 87, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Friday, August 24, 2007, at the Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls. He was born on October 11, 1919 in Thief River Falls, the son of Oscar and Julia (Rhodegard) Liden. He grew up in Thief River Falls, attending Northrup grade school and graduating from Lincoln High School in 1937. After high school he was hired by the owner of Holmberg's Meat Market as a meat cutter. In February of 1942, Kenton joined the United States Army, serving with the 36th Combat Engineers, in the Mediterranean. During his years of service, Kenton saw several battles, however one day which will not be forgotten, happened in 1942. On November 8, 1942, the invasion force, traveling on The U. S. S. Rutledge approached Fadela, Morocco. Upon reaching Morocco, the German forces were waiting and the U. S. S. Rutledge was hit twice by torpedoes. The ship began sinking fast. Kenton, along with the rest of the men climbed overboard into lifeboats while the enemy shelled their position. With help from the U. S. ground troops, the men were taken to safety in a bath house. Kenton continued to serve for almost 3 more years and on September 28, 1945, Kenton was discharged from the Army as a Staff Sgt and he returned to Thief River Falls. For his service he received the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal with 3 bronze service stars/with one silver service star with arrowhead, the World War II Victory medal, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button. Upon returning home, Kenton went back to work for Holmberg's Meat Market and began his career as a meat cutter. On May 25, 1947 he married Fern Nelson in Thief River Falls. Through the years, he worked as a department manager for Piggly Wiggly, B & W Grocery and was later a meat department manager for Northland Foods. No matter which store he was working in, he was always known as "Kenny, the smiling meat man". He was a lifetime member of the Fergus Falls V. F. W., Thief River Falls American Legion, Eagles Club in Thief River Falls and a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. He loved fishing, hunting, yard work, and in his earlier years, he enjoyed curling, bowling and swimming with his granddaughters. Preceding him in death were his parents; 5 brothers, Arville, Lyle, Emmett, Donovan and Ardell Liden and 2 sisters, Verna Froiland and Harriet Liggett. Survivors include his wife, Fern of Underwood, 2 sons, Wayne (Kathy) Liden of Thief River Falls, Mark (Rhoda) of Fargo; 2 granddaughters, Kelly (Kyle) Jordet of East Grand Forks, Kate Liden of Grand Forks; one-great granddaughter, Emma Jordet; one brother, Duane Liden of Battle Lake along with numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Olson Funeral Home, with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 1 p.m. Thursday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls Clergy:     Rev. Paul Nelson Interment: 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls Military Rites:     Thief River Falls American Legion and V.F.W. Funeral Home:     The Olson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com