Kenneth King

Kenneth Allen King, 74, of Pine River, passed away January 24, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Brainerd, after a long battle with cancer and chronic illness.

Ken is survived by his brothers, Dennie (Mona) and Ricky (Colleen); children, Kristin (Eric) Mickelson, Karla Jo (Chris) Cunningham, Kraig (Tracy) King and Kendra (Doug) Reddick; grandchildren, Avery (Sam) Cunningham, Jordan (Tyler) Cunningham, Amelia and Meredith Hauser, Kalli (Joseph) King and Konnor King, Alexus, Viola and Mac Reddick; and nephew, Eric King. Great grandbaby, Aspyn, is on the way and though she didn’t get to meet him in person, she will know of him and she will know how much he would’ve loved her.

Ken graduated from Pine River High School in 1967. He enlisted in the Army National Guard and served for 6 years. He was an American Legion member with Post 613 in Pine River for 46 years, where he was part of the Color Guard for many years.

In December 1969, Ken married Sandi Leek. They lived in the cities for a couple of years while raising their 2 oldest daughters, but eventually would move back to Pine River, making their home on White Pine Point. They then welcomed Kraig and Kendra, making their family complete. Though they later divorced, they were both still very much involved in their children’s lives.

Ken worked for Al Hardy Construction for many years before hanging up his tool belt to take over the mail route from his dad, Orville, who had taken it over from his parents, to become a 3rd generation Rural Route mail carrier. He ran that route for more than 25 years, but still dabbled in the construction field doing custom decks and remodel projects. He was a member of the Pine River Fire Department for 39 years, of which he held every position from Lieutenant to Chief. It was one of his greatest passions and he passed that down to his son, Kraig and son-in-law, Chris.

Ken was an avid outdoorsman who loved spending time at the deer shack with his hunting buddies. For 45 years, they’ve hunted, laughed, told stories and grieved losses of the ones that have gone before them.

Throughout his life, Ken was a Cub Scout leader, baseball coach, a founding member of the Pine River Fish and Game Club and was Mayor of Pine River North, a small village on Leech Lake during The International Eelpout Festival. He lived a fun and full life. He was loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Dorothy King.

Visitation will take place at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, from 4-7 PM. Funeral service will take place at First Lutheran Church in Pine River on January 31, 2024, at 11 AM with visitation an hour prior. Luncheon will follow at the Pine River American Legion.

Arrangements are entrusted to Kline Funeral Home and Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Pine River.