Kenneth Charles 'Ken' Sterner, 75

Kenneth Charles "Ken" Sterner, 75, passed away Saturday, April 21, 2007, in Kalispell, following a lengthy illness. Ken was born March 9, 1932, in Ambrose, N.D., to William and Vella Belle Sackett Sterner. He moved to Fort Peck in 1936, then to Kalispell in 1940, where he resided and attended schools.

Ken enlisted in the Navy, where he served with the Naval Construction Battalion for 27 months during the Korean conflict.

After being discharged from the Navy, Ken went to work as a heavy-equipment operator in Northwestern Montana. He also worked for several years with the Montana Power Company, until retiring in 1988.

In 1977, Ken married Sherry Ruth Van Bemmel in Kalispell.

He was a member of the Operating Engineers Local No. 371 and Local No. 400.

He loved raising flowers, fishing and horse racing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marjorie Canavon Sterner; two daughters, Cindy Kay Sterner and Terry Lynn Sterner; a brother, Deleno "Jack" Sterner; and two sisters, Charlotte Sterner and Naomie Sterner Shaw.

He is survived by his wife, Sherry Sterner, of Kalispell; a daughter, Charlene Faye Sterner, of Kalispell; and a brother and his wife, Claude and Carol Sterner, of Moses Lake, Wash.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. today, April 25, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 26, at Glacier Memorial Gardens, with Steve and Mary Svenson of the Salvation Army officiating. Military honors will be provided by United Veterans of the Flathead Valley.

Memorials are requested in Ken's name be given to the Salvation Army.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.