Kenneth N. Svendsen, 94

Kenneth N. Svendsen, 94, passed away Jan. 6, 2024. He was born Sept. 15, 1929, in Chinook. The son of Nels and Ane Svendsen.

He graduated from Hogeland High School in 1948. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1950, serving as an instructor on the B-29 Bomber for four years during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged 1954.   

He married Donna Hill on Oct. 10, 1952, in Topeka, Kansas. They moved to Kalispell where he worked for Bausch and Lomb Optical as an optician. He served as branch manager in Great Falls as well as Walla Walla, Washington.  

He was a past member of the Elks Lodge and the Montana Jaycees. He opened his own optical store in Helena from 1984 to 1989. He then sold the store and retired to Kalispell. He built a cabin on Ashley Lake and had their home built at the same time.  

He dearly loved spending time at their Ashley Lake Cabin be it fishing, family or friends. He also took up painting, woodcarving and building outdoor chairs and birdhouses. His children and grandchildren have many of his paintings and handiwork. He was an active snowmobiler for many many years and he and Donna spent time traveling the U.S. and Canada well as Mexico. They would spend time in Arizona during the winter. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna (2017); his daughter-in-law, Ann (2022); his parents, two brothers, and his sister.  

He is survived by his children, Deborah (Dan) Weed of Polson; Cheryl (Rand) Stalhberg of Kalispell; Ken of Helena; three grandchildren, Jason, Sarah and Jacey; as well as great-grandchildren, Aiden, Austin and Livia.

Services for Ken will be announced later in the spring. Memorials may be sent to Stillwater Lutheran Church, Hospice of Ronan, or any charity of your choice.  

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.