Kenneth Vernon Arnts

Kenneth Vernon Arnts, 89, of Anacortes, departed this world on May 20, 2023. He was born on May 25, 1933, in Bismarck, North Dakota, the son of Alfred and Doris.
His early years were spent in McKenzie, North Dakota before he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged with the ranking of SP2 in the Armory Division.
Ken met the love of his life, Joanne, in Carson, North Dakota. They married in 1953 after Ken mailed Joanne her engagement ring while in the service. Upon his discharge, Ken and Joanne were blessed with four children, who they ended up raising in Western Washington, after moving there for better job opportunities. Ken ventured into entrepreneurship by investing in his own business, a franchise with Chevron Service Stations that spanned over 35 years. He also progressed to adding more stations as well as owning a small trucking company and renting out motorhomes. Ken was well-loved by his customers and community members alike and was known to be a hard-working, honest, and kind person.
Ken loved his family first and foremost and it showed in everything he did. Ken was happy to say "yes!" to any activity or adventure and wholeheartedly believed in spending quality time with his family. Additionally, he was always willing to jump in and help strangers and friends alike. Ken loved to laugh and enjoyed life for all it had to offer.
Ken's hobbies revolved around being outdoors and spending time with people he cared for. He loved being at the family beach house with his children and grandchildren, fishing, camping, boating, skiing, and snowmobiling, as well as bird and deer hunting on the family farm in North Dakota. In his younger years, he had fun playing poker with close friends. Ken was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Auburn Elks. He later became a big Seahawks fan and held season tickets for a number of years. In retirement, Ken enjoyed reading Western novels by Louis L'Amour and tending to his small farm in the Spokane area where he raised cows and chickens and had a beautiful vegetable garden.
He will be missed greatly by his family, friends, and countless others that crossed paths with him over the years.
Ken was predeceased by his parents; siblings: Donna, Alan, Ralph, Dennis; and grandchild, Jennifer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Joanne; their four children and their spouses: Gary (Becki), Teresa (Duane), Kathleen (Tony), Russell (Renae); eight grandchildren and their spouses: Erin (Justin), Shaun, Brooke, Kenny (Stephanie), Sara (Matt), Candice (Jacob), Alex, Amy; four great-grandchildren: Cade, Kylie, Ethney, Killian; brother, Larry; and many nieces and nephews.
Ken will be laid to rest, at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Tahoma National Cemetery with Military Honors.
To share memories of Ken sign the online guestbook at www.evanschapel.com/obituary/ken-arnts
To share memories of Ken, please sign the online guestbook at
www.evanschapel.com/obituary/ken-arnts