Kenneth Quiring

Kenneth Quiring, 74, of Zumbrota, passed from this life Friday, Jan. 31, 2014.

Ken was born Oct. 5, 1939, in Mountain Lake, to Edward and Almada (nee Peters) Quiring. He was the eldest of four children. Ken attended Mt. Lake High School where he excelled at basketball and football. He graduated in 1957 and although raised Mennonite, was convinced by his high school guidance counselor to attend St. Olaf College in Northfield. There he met the love of his life, Susan Anderson of Litchfield, Ill. They were married on Dec. 30, 1961. Ken and Susan moved to Zumbrota, a place where they raised their two children and would call home for 53 years.

After graduating from St. Olaf with a teaching degree, Ken began his career in the fall of 1961 at Zumbrota High School. It would turn out to be his lifetime career. He taught American history and social studies. He worked on continuing his education during the summer time, receiving a master's degree from Mankato State and post-graduate credits from Brown University. He also worked to establish the AP government course at Zumbrota High School and taught the course for nine years.  Ken taught for a total 47 years, 38 of them full-time.

Ken was active in Zumbrota High School sports; he coached the men's B-squad basketball team under both coach Mettler and Wiebusch. Ken was also an avid tennis player and was a proponent of building the original tennis courts on-site at the high school. He went on to establish and coach the women's intramural tennis program.

Ken's community was very important to him. He was a charter member of the Zumbrota Lion's Club and a member of United Redeemer Lutheran Church. Ken served on the church council and several pastoral call committees. He enjoyed applying his teaching skills at church where he was a frequent presenter at the adult education discussions between services.

Ken loved to discuss politics with his friends, family and students. He was active in the state and local DFL party. Ken was intent on instilling an interest in government in all his students and a knowledge of how government works. As such, he was instrumental in introducing Zumbrota High School to the Washington, D.C., Close Up program which gave students a first-hand look at the government in action.

Ken is survived by his wife, Susan of Zumbrota; son, Kevin (Ann) Quiring of Minneapolis; daughter, Amy Masse of Naugatauk, Conn.; granddaughters, Grace and Eleanor Quiring and Genevieve Masse; grandson, Christian Masse; mother, Almada Quiring of Mountain Lake; brothers, Robert (Leslee) Quiring of Clio, Mich., and James (Carla) Quiring of Mountain Lake; sister, Pat (Russ) Dorris of Columbia, Ill; and many nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Edward Quiring.

Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at United Redeemer Lutheran Church in Zumbrota, with Pastor Susan Vikstrom officiating.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, and for one hour prior to the service both at the church.

Arrangements are with Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel in Zumbrota. mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com