Grandpa Ken was born 71 years ago, on February 11th, 1947, during, of course, what was known as the “The Great Storm” that raged for 10 days and had snow drifts up to 8 metres tall.  It was just then he decided to make his own great arrival.

This really says a lot about my Grandpa.  Grandpa Ken was not much for school, even from as early as first grade.  He would leave home in the morning and wander seemingly towards school but...would only arrive about half the time.  

Throughout his school years, Grandpa continued his pattern of wandering - not to school - and would later regale us with stories of playing cops and robbers in the valley near the brickyard and swimming off the old bridge into the Souris. After grade 6, he decided school was not for him and went to make his own way in the world.  When he was just a young teen, younger than 16, he was hopping the railcars and riding the rail to explore southern Saskatchewan.  He even travelled as far as Manitoba.

In 1965, he found himself at a dance in Alameda and there it was where he met his future wife, Grandma Bonnie.  They were both practically kids, at least the way we think of it now, but they married in Oxbow, 51 years ago, on July 23, 1966.

Grandpa and Grandma’s son Mark came along before either of them had turned 20.  Grandpa loved being a dad and being a dad helped him to find some roots and let the wanderer go... just a little bit.  

Just after Mark was born, he started his career in Oil Field Maintenance which would span 40 years.  He loved being outside, using his hands and learning the trade.  Given that he was so young when he started in the business, as he grew more experienced he became a mentor for many other young men just starting out.  While he wasn’t always the most patient man, he took many of those boys under his wing, taught them the job and instilled in them a good work ethic.  Which included NEVER sleeping while riding to the job site.  

Two years and two months after Mark was born, Grandpa and Grandma celebrated the arrival of their second child, my mom: Tracy.  Mom’s arrival had given him the perfect pair, a girl and a boy

Mid-way through his career, he decided to give having his own business a try.  His business, Ken - Do Maintenance, did work for several different oil companies for many years.  Running his business gave him great satisfaction in his work and his company was both well respected and very successful.  

Just after he turned 40, he became a grandpa for the first time.  When he got the call that this baby was on the way, he was at the street dance in Noonan, North Dakota.  However he rushed across the border, to Estevan and into the hospital talking about a baby girl with ringlets. There was no baby girl but I did have the curliest of hair of all the grandchildren.  Being a grandpa changed Ken.  There was nothing he wouldn't do for his four grandchildren, myself, Chae-Lyn, Bradyn and Kelsey.  He truly spoiled all of us.

In winter, when Grandpa Ken wasn’t outside racing to be the first on the block with his snow blower clearing off his driveway (and his neighbours driveway, and the walkway), he liked having a couple of scratch tickets to take a chance on.  If you were ever looking for something to read, be sure, that there was a book on every counter and every bathroom so that he could read whenever he had the urge.  Grandpa also enjoyed his TV, especially in the evenings, and he liked it REALLY loud.  So loud, in fact that he went through a few TV’s because the sound was gone.  However, a good set of remote headphones became his best friend.  

In 2003, Grandpa and Grandma got their dog Suni.  Through walks and car rides Suni was Grandpa’s constant companion for the next 13 years.

    In Grandpa’s last few years he struggled with injury and medical issues but beat cancer, and still managed a trip to Hawaii with his niece and her partner.  He and Bonnie also celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary together.  Ken lived a good life and left smiles on the faces of those he encountered.