KENNETH I. REYERSON

KENNETH I. REYERSON

Kenneth Irving Reyerson, age 86, passed away on January 23 in Powell, Wyoming after a long battle with cancer. As he had done with so many things in his life, he faced it head on till the very end. 

Kenny was born on October 25th, 1938 in Madison, Minnesota to Harold Reyerson and Helga Gullicks. The second of three boys, Ken was raised in a farming family and came to appreciate working the land. After graduation from Sharon High School, he went on to study welding in Wahpeton. This skill would come in handy over the years fixing not only his farm equipment, but many other peoples’ as well.

In 1960, Kenny enlisted in the Air National Guard. He proudly served for four years as a mechanic. It can be honestly said that in his lifetime, he fixed everything from a toaster to a jet engine. 

Ken was in the cattle business with the local dentist in 1967, when he was told that he needed to hurry up and ask out the pretty new Norwegian school teacher in Sharon. Doc gave him her name (how to pronounce it too), number, and the rest is history. Kenny married Kjellaug Gjovik June 16, 1968 at Sheyenne Lutheran Church in Pekin, North Dakota.

Kenny and Kjellaug lived, farmed, and attended church in Sharon. They welcomed their son Jeremy in 1972 and their daughter Laura in 1975. When Kenny decided to retire from farming, he refused to retire from work. His grandkids would later say that “work is Papa’s hobby.” He went on to drive the senior transit bus, drive school bus for many years, farm for other people, and fix whatever needed fixing for whomever needed it fixed. Ken did not officially “retire” till age 80.

Those that knew him best, will remember Kenny as a man who could be tough when the occasional called for it. They will remember that he loved to play cards, work with horses, go for country drives with Kjellaug, and spend time with family. He loved a good joke and especially liked playing them on other people. But most importantly, people will remember that he was a kind man who had an unconditional love for his family and his Lord.

Kenny is survived by his dear wife Kjellaug of 56 years; son Jeremy of Grand Forks, ND; daughter Laura (Mike) Thiel of Powell, WY; grandson James of Grand Forks, ND; grandson Shawn of Minneapolis, MN; grandsons Jacob and Ethan Thiel of Powell, WY; granddaughter Abby Thiel of Powell, WY; Brother David (Betty) Reyerson of Fargo, ND; sister-in-law Susie Reyerson of Fargo, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews that Ken held close to his heart.

A Memorial Service will be Friday, February 28, 2025 at 1:00 pm in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Sharon, ND.