Kenneth Gordon Hertel

Kenneth Gordon Hertel, 87, of Cheyenne, passed to be with his Lord on September 2, 2018, at CRMC. Ken’s life diminished with Dementia as he dealt with and was determined to recuperate from his many other illnesses for over 28 years. For this reason, the family asks for donations to the Alzheimer’s Association in place of cards or flowers.
Ken was born 7/16/31 in Pengilly, MN. After graduating from High School, Ken joined the U.S.A.F. and was based in Omaha, NE, at Offutt Air Force Base from January 1951 to December 1954 as an Air Policeman.
He married his high school sweetheart, Lou Ann Cratty, on her birthday, June 7, 1952. Their son, Michael, was born in Omaha. After Ken’s honorable discharge in 1954 the family moved to St. Cloud, MN, where they lived for over 16 years. Their son, Kevin and daughter, Lynda Lou, were born in St. Cloud.
Ken worked at Franklin Manufacturing in St. Cloud from 1955 to 1965. He then changed occupations to sell Farmer’s Union Insurance. In 1970 Ken’s career began to fulfill his passion by being a District Executive in the Boy Scouts of America. His career spanned from 1970 to 1993 as a District Executive with the Central Minnesota Council in St. Cloud, MN, the Quivira Council in Independence, KS, the Kanza Council in Hutchinson, KS and finaly assigned with the Longs Peak Council in Cheyenne, WY, before his retirement in 1993. He also served as the Camp Director at Camp Kanza and Laramie Peaks BS Camp. Ken was a member of the BSA for over 50 years.
Ken lost his first wife, Lou Ann, in October 1986 in Hutchinson. Ken married his second wife, Jan Pennock, a Girl Scout Field Advisor, in November of 1988. Two days after their wedding the BSA informed Ken he would be transferred to either Minot, ND or Cheyenne, WY.
After retirement from the BSA in 1993, Ken joined Jan in working retail at Corral West until his second retirement in 1998.
One of Ken’s proudest accomplishments was contributing over eight gallons of Type B to the Red Cross. Another proud accomplishment was serving and exposing hundreds of young men and adults to the outdoors and the Boy Scout way of life. Ken was also very proud of his many working projects.
Ken never met a stranger and had a story or joke for everyone. He was a Charter Member of Frontier United Methodist Church and was very close to his church family.
Ken is survived by his wife, Jan, of Cheyenne, his sister Karen of Prior Lake, MN, sister-in-law, Marilyn Hertel, Belle Vista, AR, his son Michael of Mankato, MN, son Kevin of Hutchinson, KS, daughter, Lynda (Mark) Brolin, of Houlton, WI, step daughter, Deanna Greenwalt of Windsor, CO, Joyce Volk of Salina, KS and Marla (Scott) Wynn, of Broomfield, CO, twelve grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren plus many nieces and nephews.
His memorial service will be on Sunday, October 14, 2018, at 3:00 pm at Frontier United Methodist Church, 1888 Four Mile Road, with a pot luck dinner to follow in the lower level.
The family requests donations be sent to The Alzheimer’s Association, 2232 Dell Range Blvd, Suite 220, Cheyenne, WY, 82009, for family support, care and education. At the memorial service an Alzheimer’s Cash Not Cards Please basket will be by the guest book.