John Asplund

John Asplund

John Kenneth "Ken" Asplund was born on July 21, 1929, in Wilton. He grew up on the family farm surrounded by parents, siblings, and extended family, attending the Mission Evangelical Free Church just down the country road. Ken was the third of five children.

He met Norma Asplund at North Central Bible Institute in May 1949, and it was love at first sight. They married on Oct. 21, 1949, and had four sons, Larry, Ronny, Reggie, and Joey. While they both came from farming families, they decided to raise their family off the farm. Ken became a successful salesman and businessman early in their marriage. During the '60s, he taught personal evangelism seminars in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

In 1972, Ken and Norma assumed the leadership of a "Jesus People" coffeehouse in Springfield, Missouri, out of which came a local church and a Christian school (New Covenant Academy). In 1987, they felt a call to the Southeast and found themselves in St. Augustine, Florida, where they devoted the rest of their very long lives to serving in a variety of areas. Ken served on the pastoral staff at Trinity Chapel (now Destiny Church) before becoming responsible for the local Ministerial Association, pioneering chaplaincy programs at Flagler Hospital and the St. Johns County Jail, and conducting monthly Marketplace Ministry Luncheons. Ken served as the St. Johns County Jail Chaplain for 30 years.

Ken is survived by his sons, Larry and Reggie Asplund, his brother Norman Asplund, and his sister Elaine Steinert. He was preceded in death by his lifelong partner and best friend, Norma Asplund, and two of his sons, Ronny and Joey. Ken Asplund's legacy will live long in the hearts of many.