Kenneth Clarence Melhus

1942 - 2023

Kenneth Clarence Melhus passed away at the age of 80 on May 17, 2023 in Papillion, Nebraska. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Ken was born on November 4, 1942 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Clarence and Leona Melhus. He grew up on a farm near Norway, Iowa with his older sister, Kathleen and younger sister, Carol.  The passing of his father Clarence in 1948 when Ken was only 5 years old was a significant event in his young life, and one he reflected on often, even writing about it in his poem “The Wind and the Stick Horse” later in life.  During his school years, Ken enjoyed participating in high school plays and singing groups such as chorus and quartet and was also active in 4H.  After high school Ken attended Wartburg College where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration. He would later go on to earn his master’s degree in business management from Bellevue University.

Ken wore many professional hats in his early working years, including delivering milk for dairy farms, bartending, real estate, playing trumpet for the Frankie Burr orchestra, and even driving a big rig for a short time. Later in life, he graduated from auctioneering school and also earned a Master Gardeners Degree.  Ken was always one to chase his dreams.

He was a proud military veteran, serving his country in Vietnam and in the Army Reserves, earning the rank of Master Sergeant upon retirement.  He worked for the phone company for more than 26 years before retiring as a Business Manager. But retirement didn’t suit Ken, and shortly after his retirement he went to work for the Army Corps of Engineers where he worked for several more years before retiring again.

Even in retirement, Ken liked to stay busy.  He spent 17 years on the Papillion City Planning Commission and served on their Board of Adjustments. He rediscovered his love of music and began playing guitar and singing at “jam sessions” at a small feed store in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  He even recorded several CDs– mostly old cowboy songs that his dad would have sung – to pass on to his grandchildren.  One of his CDs “The Last of the Summer Wine” even won CD of the Year in 2017.

Of all the things that Ken experienced in his lifetime, his very favorite was being a grandpa. He loved to go to their sporting events, horse riding lessons, school programs, 4-H activities…really any chance he had to spend time with them, he was there. They loved to get him to chase them around the house – a game they called “Grandpa Monster” – and he was never too tired to play.

Ken talked often about how thankful he was for all the Lord’s wonderful blessings in his life. He was a man of strong faith who knew and loved Jesus and had asked Him years ago to be the forgiver of his sins and the leader of his life. He was at peace knowing that the end of his life here was the beginning of eternity with Him, and that one day our family will be reunited with him in Heaven.

Ken will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 47 years, Sheila, their children Kendra (Melhus) Malik and her husband Bobby, son Michael Melhus and his wife Abbey, and his grandchildren Morgan and Tyson Malik, Annika, Eliana, Eowyn, and Jovie Melhus, and Rae Westlake; sister Kathleen Stickney, sister-in-law Sheri (Howard) Schiffer, many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, May 22nd at 2:30 pm at Teahen Funeral Home 3100 F Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Friends may visit with the family on Monday from 1:30 until the time of the service.

Celebration of Life service will be held in Omaha, Ne on June 15th at 6:00 pm at Grace Life Bible Church, 10606 Burt Circle.

Please direct memorials to the family.