Kenneth Kersten

Kenneth George Kersten was born on September 28, 1938, in Springfield, MN, the son of George and Elva (Fonken) Kersten. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1957. He entered the United States Navy on September 30, 1959, and served until his honorable discharge on January 18, 1963. Kenneth attended two years at Gustavus Adolphus College before returning to the family farm to feed cattle and farm. He retired from farming in 1999. He was united in marriage to Maureen Isaksen on April 5, 1975, at St. John Lutheran Church in Springfield. Ken was an active member of the Cattlemen's Association, John Watson American Legion Post in Springfield, served as a director for Redwood County Mutual and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye. Ken attended services at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at St. John Lutheran Home where he had been a resident since 2006. He enjoyed fishing, going to the lake, watching movies, spending time with his grandchildren, and farming. Ken died on Monday, May 23, 2011, at St. John Lutheran Home at the age of 72 years. He is survived by his wife - Maureen Kersten of Springfield; daughters- Heidi and husband Bob Fink of Springfield and Holli Hoffman of Minneapolis; grandchildren - Alex, Taylor, and Isaac Fink; siblings - James and wife Pam Kersten of Deephaven, MN, Gary and wife Mary Kersten of Minnetonka, MN, and Laurie and husband Larry Ulmen of Mankato, MN; and 17 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents - George and Elva Kersten.