Kenneth A. Exel

Exel, Kenneth A. Age 85, of Brooklyn Center, died at home on July 7, 2006 after a courageous battle with congestive heart failure. Born Sept. 12, 1920 in Mpls. Ken graduated from Roosevelt High School. He then attended the U of M until entering the military. He ran the Navy's aquatic program in New London, Conn., and played Navy baseball until returning to the U of M to complete his teaching degree and play his final season as captain of the basketball Gophers. An original Mpls. Laker, he also played professional basketball for Oshkosh and Syracuse. In 1948 he began his career in education at Monticello. He then moved to Columbia Heights where he worked for 34 years first as a teacher and coach, then as a principal of Columbia Junior High. There he met his soul mate, Virginia Oppegard; they married in 1973. After they retired they had many happy years of travel to FL and AZ, and also enjoyed time at their cabin. Preceded in death by parents, Jack and Sophie Exel and son, John William Exel. Survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Ginny; brother, Larry (Sharon); children, Mike, Nancy (Charlie) Rechtzigel, Jane, and Susan; niece, Kathleen (Steve) Exel-Lohmar; seven grandchildren and 3 great- grandchildren. Memorial service to be Wednesday, July 12, 11 AM at the Lutheran Church of the Master 1200 69th Ave. N., Brooklyn Center 763- 561-5852. Private interment. In lieu of flowers, family prefers memorials to War Memorial Blood Bank, U of M Stem Cell Research or U of M Men's Basketball Program. Cremation Society of Minnesota 763-560-3100
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.