Kenneth Woodrow

On Dec. 24, 2007, surrounded by his children and family, Ken Woodrow took his place at the Lord's Table.

Born Kenneth E. Woodrow in First View, Colo., on June 10, 1923, to George and Mable (Smith) Woodrow, Ken grew up in Sharon Springs, Kan.

After serving his country during World War II in the Army Air Corp, he began a career at Mountain Bell (the telephone company), what would eventually last more than 40 years. As a foreman for a line crew, he and his crew strung telephone lines from the Mexican border to the Canadian border.

In 1952, Ken met Margaret Lodell "Mardell" Lane. They married Aug. 31, 1952, and she and Ken traveled throughout Montana while Ken continued working for "Ma Bell." In 1959, they decided it was time to settle in one spot and moved their three daughters to Butte, where they soon welcomed their son.

Ken continued working for the telephone company until he retired in 1981. The retirement years found he and Mardell enjoying a trip to Hawaii and Australia, a Caribbean cruise, an Alaskan cruise, their annual get-away to Jackpot, Nev., and many trips to visit their children and grandchildren. In August of 2002, Ken and Mardell celebrated 50 years of marriage. Mardell died in February of 2005.

Ken was a lifelong member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Butte, devoting much of his time to both the Rainbow Girls and DeMolay Boys while his children were members of those organizations. Ken was also a member of the Butte Lodge of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Butte Amateur Radio Club and the Masonic Dance Club.

To Ken's children, he was a teacher, guide and confidant. He loved his family and many times put their needs above his own. To his family, friends and neighbors, he was someone they could count on.

Ken is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Marie "Tollie" Woodrow; children, Cathy and Scott Kuhne, LeaAnne Woodrow, Vicki Woodrow, and Scott and Sue Woodrow; grandchildren, Adia and RJ Hackett, Thayne Henry, James and Gregory Woodrow, and Kristen, Brian, and Maria Woodrow; great-grandchildren, Keyanna, Ronnie and Ariyanna Hackett; sister-in-law, Nita and Rob Kingsbury; brother-in-law, the Rev. Tom and Judy Lane; special niece and nephew, Becky and John "Kato" Rolich, and Nancy Thompson; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Ken's family will receive friends at Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home beginning Sunday at 2 p.m. Memorial services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Memorials donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 247, Spokane, WA 99210-2472 or a charity of the donor's choice.

Ken will be missed by everyone that shared his life.