Kenneth P. Stremel, 69

Ken Stremel, a hard-working man of excellence, intelligence, and honor was called home on Dec. 29, 2017 after a fearless fight with pancreatic cancer.

Ken’s life was knitted together with work, family, games, politics, gambling, NASCAR, NHRA, adventure, family poker games, and a love for fly fishing and all things outdoors. Ken was a proud, passionate man whose hands never knew an idle day. He was an accomplished HVAC technician who mentored and frustrated young and old men through Colorado and Montana. There was nothing Ken could not do. Whether working, traveling, building a house, selling trailers, fixing cars, forest fire support, hosting campgrounds, cornering unsuspecting souls with passionate political conversations, or pulling a monster trout from the Madison or Missouri, Ken lived life passionately.

His zeal for traveling was shared by wife Susan, granddaughter Brittany, who traveled extensively with them, and grandson Bradley. The fall adventures to Yellowstone with family became a highlight of Ken’s life. This superman will be best remembered for his hard work, love of family and friends, shenanigans at Sue’s sibling reunions, passion for fly fishing and all things outdoors, politics and always being right.

Kenneth Stremel will be missed by loving wife Sue; daughters Joleen Beaubien (John), Candice Sawyer, Heidi Bode (Doug); grandchildren Bradley Ogle, Brittany Ogle (Jackson), Brayden Taylor, Memphis Sawyer, Hunter, Hank, Harley Bode; son-in-law Justin Ogle (Julie and Ryan); namesake, great-grandson, Leroy Kenneth Stiffler; the families he considered his own, Gary and Kaye Vanner, Scott and Tammy Norman, Sally Kruger and John Dudley, Dan and Glenda Desserich, Wes and Julie (deceased) Trembly; numerous nieces and nephews. Kenneth Paul Stremel, born July 1, 1948, was raised in Denver, Colo. along with his brothers Mike and Skip (Lawrence) by his parents Frank and Elizabeth.

Ken will be celebrated and honored at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell on Jan. 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Please come with memories to share. Donations can be given in Ken’s honor to Ronald McDonald House, 5130 40th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105 or Shriners Hospital, 911 W 5th Ave, Spokane, WA 99204.