Funeral Services for Kenneth R. Toft of Ellendale, MN will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at the First Lutheran Church in Ellendale. The Reverend Richard L. Sliper will officiate. Interment will be in First Lutheran Cemetery, Ellendale. Military Honors will be accorded by Ellendale Veteran’s Organization. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 – 7 p.m. at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.
Kenneth died on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at ThorneCrest Retirement Center, Health Care Wing, in Albert Lea. He was 86.
He was born on June 9, 1926, at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, the son of Irvin and Cora (Gunderson) Toft. He was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in Ellendale, where he was a life member. Kenneth graduated from Ellendale High School. When he was 17, Ken played baseball for the Owatonna Aces, a Class AA team, and continued to play on area teams until retiring his uniform when he was 33. He also had boxed in the Golden Gloves in Owatonna.He proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy in Alaska, from 1944 until his honorable discharge in 1946.
He married his wife of more than 62 years, Evelyn Hoffman on October 7, 1950, in Albert Lea.
Kenneth had worked at Wilson’s & Co., in Albert Lea, hauled livestock for Misgen Brothers, drovegas transport truck, and then owned and operated Ken’s Service Station in Ellendale.
In 1959, he bought a farm south of Beaver Lake, where he farmed until retirement. In addition, Ken had drove school bus for the Ellendale District for more than 33 years.
He was a member of the VFW.
Ken’s most treasured times were those when he had all his family gathered.
Ken is survived by two sons: Kent (Kim) Toft of Blaine, MN, Timothy (Nancy) Toft of Ellendale, MN; grandchildren: Nikki (Todd) Schumaker of Albert Lea, Chad (Megan) Toft of Vadnais Heights, MN; great grandchildren: Brody and Logan Schumaker and Natalie Toft; Nikki and Chad’s mother Chris Johnson of Beaver Lake, MN; brother Charles Toft of Spring Valley, MN, Sister Phyllis Toft of Taft, CA, and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Irvin and Cora Toft, brothers Gordon, James, and Paul Toft, sisters Olive, Carol, and Grace in infancy.
Special thanks to Dr. Vocal, Connie and Maryann and staff at Whispering Oaks, and the staff at ThorneCrest for their compassionate care for Kenneth and his family.
He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.