Kenneth "Ken" Bunnell

Kenneth “Ken” Bunnell, 70, of Mandan, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Sanford Health with his family by his side.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church 801 1st St. SE, Mandan. Burial will follow in Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5–7 P.M. on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Weigel Funeral Home, 309 4th Ave. NW, Mandan. A parish vigil will begin at 7:00 P.M. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Kenneth Michael Bunnell, known to most as Ken or Kenny, was born November 22, 1955, in Mandan, North Dakota, the son of George and Charlotte (Rippinger) Bunnell. He was raised and educated in Mandan and attended Mandan High School.

In 1975, Ken married Tamera Becker, and together they had two children, Nicole and Reggie. The couple later separated in 1991. In 2008, Ken married Debora Calheim, and they made their home in Mandan.

Ken went to work as a boilermaker in 1977 and was a proud member of Local Union 647. He spent many years working hard in the trade and eventually finished his career as Superintendent of ICI, retiring in 2011.

Ken enjoyed the simple things in life. He was an avid walleye fisherman and loved spending time at the family’s lake cabin in Van Hook at Lake Sakakawea. Hunting deer, pheasant, and geese were also some of his favorite pastimes enjoyed with his sons, brothers, nephews, and cousins.

He also enjoyed playing cards and spent many hours around the table with family and friends, both at home and at the Moose. Ken was known as a bit of an agitator during card games, always getting into the heads of his opponents and making them question their next move.

Ken was a loyal Minnesota Vikings fan and stuck with them through the good seasons and the tough ones.

Later in life, Ken battled kidney disease and will be remembered as a fighter who faced his health struggles with determination.

He is survived by his wife, Debora Bunnell; his daughter, Nicole (Albert) DeRouen; his son, Reggie Bunnell; and son, Derek (Josie) Calheim, all of Mandan. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Shay (Matt) Pfaff of Bismarck, Jessie (McKayla) DeRouen, and Jayla and Isabella Calheim; all of Mandan; great-grandchildren, Cash Pfaff and Scarlet Pfaff of Bismarck. He is also survived by his siblings: Debbie Wangler of Bismarck; George Jr. (Brenda) Bunnell of Champlin, MN; Laurie (Mike) Hedstrom and Linda Faith both of Bismarck.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, George and Charlotte, and his brothers, Scott, Patrick, and Keith.