Kenneth 'Swede' John Stromberg, 92

Kenneth “Swede” John Stromberg, of Columbia Falls, passed away on Jan. 20, 2020, at North Valley Hospital from complications following hip surgery. He was 92.

Ken was born to Henry and Selma Stromberg on Sept. 21, 1927, in Saskatchewan. Ken grew up in International Falls, Minnesota.

At the age of 16 Ken headed west and worked as a logger in Northwest Montana and along the Pacific Coast, falling trees from Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.

Ken proudly served his country as an Army infantryman in the Korean War; his service included combat in Korea and deployment in Alaska. Following his military service, Ken returned to logging and fell trees until a severe logging accident in 1971 nearly took his life, forcing him from the career he loved. Ken then worked as the maintenance man at the Kalispell Medical Arts Building until his retirement. Even after retiring Ken continued to work one day a week for Kalispell Medical Arts Building into his early 80s.

Ken had a gregarious personality, generous heart, and a keen sense of humor. He never met a stranger. Ken was an exceptionally hard worker. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt. Ken took great pride in his son and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Ken was preceded in death by his great-grandson, Maverick John Kanis.

He is survived by his son Mark (Krista) Stromberg of Lynden, Washington, and his grandchildren, Mackenzie (Nathan) Kanis of Everson, Washington, John-Mark Stromberg of Lynden, Washington, and Johanna Stromberg of Lynden, Washington.

The funeral for Ken Stromberg will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.

Arrangements are under the care of Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home of Kalispell.