Kenneth E. Knudsen

Kenneth E. Knudsen, 90, of Traverse City passed away at Munson Hospice House on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, 2015, surrounded by his loving family, as they prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Ken was born on Thursday, May 22, 1924, to the late Arthur and Mildred (Poertner) Knudsen in Leelanau County. He married Jeanie Kishefsky on Thursday, April 10, 1947, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Traverse City, in a ceremony conducted by The Rev. Fr. Joseph Kohler. On Friday, with their children, they celebrated 68 blessed years of marriage filled with beautiful love recognized by many.

Ken was first and for-most a man of God and of courage. He put God first, then his wife and family, then his country. Ken was proud of his service to our country, having served with the U. S. Navy, stationed in the Pacific during WW II. He lived a humble life of many quiet acts of kindness and generous giving without fanfare. He was an active member of St. Francis Catholic Church, where he served over thirty years, as one of Father Kohler's first Lectors after Vatican II. He also oversaw the maintenance of the grounds and facilities. Ken was an important part of the first Catholic Athletic Association and later, St. Francis Boosters Club and once served as its president. Besides driving the school busses to athletic events, he also helped maintain them along with helping to purchase a bus for GTACS. Ken served as the basketball coach for the 8th grade boys team at St. Francis and led them to a city championship. The opposing coaches witnessed him as a true gentlemen who taught athletes both Christian values and how to have fun. Ken was the captain of the Leland HS, MHSAA Class D State Championship in 1942 leading his team to an 18-13 win over Whitehall HS. Ken and wife Jeanie were among the original founders of the Grand Traverse Pavilions Endowment Fund (Clara McManus & Friends) and were inducted into the GTACS Hall of Fame in 2009.
Ken began his career, in a partnership with his brother, as a distributor for Adams Seiferts Potato Chips for over 19 years. Ken received a vision and with courage and faith in God, he and Jeanie ventured into their own waste management company, called Ken's Pickup Service from 1968 until retiring in 1996. With Ken's ethics and knowledge, he served on the Grand Traverse County Solid Waste Council. Ken also drove school bus for TCAPS for over 20 years. He was a life member of the VFW as well as the Elks. Ken was extremely devoted to his family - as they were to him. Humility, Courage, Patience, Perseverance: Four virtues he wore with extreme love as a husband, a father, and as a friend.

Ken is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jeanie; his children, Teresa S. (Gerard) Casper of Traverse City; Diane M. (Robert) Wolcheck of Chatham, NJ; Kathryn A. (Lawrence) Mousseau, Kenneth J. Knudsen and David G. (Jane) Knudsen, all of Traverse City, Barbara J. (Thomas) Kudwa of Traverse City and Ludington; Michael J. (Tammy) Knudsen of Traverse City; 21 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Ken's surviving siblings are Hank (Boots) Knudsen of Grand Haven, James (Judy) Knudsen of Traverse City and a sister-in-law, Pat Knudsen of Livonia. In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan M. Knudsen, a son, Brian J. Knudsen; his brothers, Junior and Lynwood Knudsen and a sister, Kathleen Haeussler.

Visitation for Ken will take place from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 14 at St. Francis Catholic Church, with the Rosary followed by scripture service at 7:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 15 at St. Francis with visitation at the church one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions can be directed to Mass Intentions, Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, or Munson Hospice House.

Please share your memories of Ken with this family by way of his online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .