Kenneth Mays

Kenneth Mays, 89, of St. James, died on Saturday, September 18, 2010, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. Kenneth Ray Mays was born in Trumbull, NE, on June 24, 1921, the son of Claude and Anna (Burnham) Mays. At age seven, Ken moved with his family to St. James where he attended rural school and graduated from St. James High School. Ken was active in Golden Gloves Boxing for several years and was a past member of the St. James JC's. On July 4, 1943, Ken was united in marriage to Carol Jaeger in Mankato. The couple made their home on the family farm in St. James. Ken was a lifelong farmer, he was both a crop farmer and raised livestock. Ken was known in the area for the potatoes he grew providing them to local cafes, grocery stores and friends. Ken and Carol enjoyed traveling in their RV and wintering in AZ. Ken loved fishing, boating and was a craftsman in the shop working with metal and wood. He could fix or make almost anything. Ken loved spending time with family and friends he enjoyed playing chess, cribbage and cards. Ken was preceded in death by his son Gary, his parents, brothers Richard and Bob and Uncle Leo. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Carol Mays of St. James, children; Ted (Wendy) Mays of Minnesota Lake, Rita Mays and Blaine Mc Cuthchan of Brooklyn Park, Pam Mays of Boston, MA, Kathy Mays and her husband Herman Bergkamp of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, daughter-in-law; Barb Mays of Maple Grove, a brother Darrell (Lenore) Mays of Owatanna, grandchildren; Daniel (Laura) Mays of Minneapolis, Jared (Jenny) Mays of Sioux Falls, SD, Darin Mays of Minneapolis, Kendra Mays of Bloomington,Jamie (Mary) Warren of Stanford, CT, great-grandchildren; Elliot Mays and Keira Warren. In lieu of flowers the family would like memorial be directed to the American Cancer Society.