Kenneth Koll

1944 - 2023

Kenneth Joseph Koll peacefully passed away November 9, 2023 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

Graveside service held on Friday, November 17 at 11:00 A.M. at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. Military honors conducted by the Little Falls VFW Post #1112. Reception at Ken's Shed, 16986 Hwy 10, Little Falls, MN.

Ken was born in Little Falls on November 13, 1944, and was adopted by Joseph Koll and Euphemia (Terhaar) Koll. He graduated Pierz High School in 1963 and moved to the Twin Cities to "spread his wings" in being an independent adult. He went down to the St. Cloud recruiting office and enlisted in the US Navy February 15, 1965 and became a 3rd Class Machinist Mate, but he left the US Navy at the end of his contract in 1968. In 1968, he worked for Crestliner and switched jobs to Barsal Construction as a truck driver from 1969 - 1975. In the early 1970's, he owned a bar in Sobieski, MN. He reenlisted in the Navy and went to Great Lakes, IL as a Fireman and transferred to the USS Exploit in Norfolk, VA until 1977. While there he tested for his 2nd class Engineman. In 1977, Ken received orders to report to the USS Howard W. Gilmore in Sardina, Italy. While there he made 1st Class Engineman. In 1979, Ken went to school in Orlando, FL for 3 months training as a recruiter. He was located in Hopkins, MN. In 1980, Ken was stationed in Fargo, ND as a recruiter. In 1984, Ken was transferred to the USS Durham in San Diego, CA. There he made 1st Class Chief Petty Officer - He was SO PROUD! In 1986, he transferred to Great Lakes, IL and was an instructor at the base Steam Plant.

In 1990, he bought a home on Sullivan Lake and moved his wife and youngest daughter there while he completed his service in the Navy at Long Beach, CA where he was on the USS Ogden. It was there he served in the Persian Gulf War. On April 30, 1993, Ken finally hung up his sailor hat and retired from the US Navy. After Navy retirement, he worked at IWCO in Little Falls- first as a mailing operator then as a mechanic. He retired from IWCO in 2006 and realized he is not the type of person to just stay at home. He went back to IWCO as a trainer from 2006 - 2009. In 2009, he finally realized he wanted to officially retire for good.

In his free time, he focused on fishing, his woodworking and handyman skills, he also bought a snowmobile, and a motorcycle and built two of his workshops. He was active with the Little Falls VFW, St. Cloud DAV, and the MN Gold Wing Bike Club.

He leaves behind Michael Kenneth Koll (Laurie), Tanya Rose Logan-Kroska (Larry), Kristopher More Bellefeuille (Molly), Christie Louise Peterson (Barry); his 14 grandchildren (Heather, Joseph, Allanah, Alexander, Travis, Morgan, Kaleb, Casey, Colton, Daniel, Derek, Tyler, Cortney and Adam) and one great-grandson (Devonte). He also leaves behind his beloved cat Gato, along with many loved nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by wife (Mary Koll), parents (Joseph and Euphemia Koll), sister Donna Margrette Rudolph, and grandson Rhett Logan.

Emblom Brenny Funeral Service is Cherishing the Memory and Celebrating the Life of Ken.