Ken Farnsworth Sr.

Ken Farnsworth Sr. 1920 - 2011 Ken Farnsworth Sr. passed away on Sunday, August 7, at the age of 91. Ken was born in Saylesville, RI, July 4, 1920. His parents were Mary and Clifford Farnsworth. Ken courted Ethel Hock whom he met at her parents' diner in Northville, Michigan. They were married on June 18, 1942. They honeymooned by tandem bike riding on Mackinac Island and continued to enjoy tandem bike riding throughout their lives. Ken was involved in the food business since the depression when he sold supplies to restaurants. He continued working in the food business in New England for Pillsbury, General Mills and Associated Foods. The family moved west in 1957 and after traveling the 13 western states, Ken chose Boise, Idaho, to raise their family. He founded the Ken-Son Food Brokerage in 1960. In 1963, he introduced Rhodes Bread to Idaho. After retiring from Ken-Son Sales, he sold real estate in the Boise area and continued to work for Rhodes Bake-N-Serv into his nineties. Ken enjoyed cooking (especially for large groups), baseball, telling Irish stories and traveling. A concern for the environment tapped Ken and Ethel's interest in electric cars, solar energy, and sun ovens. A gypsy passion for the open road led Ken and Ethel to travel the United States, Mexico and Canada by motor coach. They continued their travels with a Peace Mission to Russia with the UCC Church and to China with the People to People program. They also visited Australia, Italy, Scandinavian countries, The Netherlands and Ken's all-time favorite, Ireland. Ken is survived by his wife Ethel and their eight children and spouses Ken (Christine), Kathleen (Laird Noh), Holly (Marshall Sage), Frank (Sue), Karen (Steve Bomkamp), David (Zane Rhys), Mark (Julie), Kate (Gary Sipe), as well as 15 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, all of whom Ken dearly loved. He is also survived by his brother, Harold (Lea) of Provo, UT. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, a son-in-law, Robert Larsen, and a daughter-in-law, Zoe Ann Farnsworth. Services are at Wright Community Church on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Michael Black presiding. Memorial contributions may be made to Wright Community Church, 4821 West Franklin, Boise, ID 83705, or www.SmileTrain.org.