Kenneth Arens
June 14, 1947-Feb. 9, 2025
Rugby
Kenneth Allen Arens, 77 of Rugby, North Dakota, passed away peacefully in his Arizona home under hospice care on Sunday, February 9 following a battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Ken, the son of Jake and Florence (Sheltrau) Arens was born on June 14, 1947 in Langdon, North Dakota.
Ken was raised in the Langdon area, graduating from Langdon High School in 1966. After graduating, Ken entered the Army National Guard completing his basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He started his career in the grain elevator business in 1968 at Cargill in Carrington, ND before being honorably discharged from the Army National Guard.
While he was in Carrington, he met the love of his life, Deborah Jean Montgomery and they were united in marriage on October 22, 1971.During their time in Carrington, they welcomed their first child, Crystal. In 1975 they moved to Leeds to be the manager at the Cargill elevator in York and a year later they welcomed their second child, Janean.
After living in Leeds for 22 years, the couple relocated to Langdon in 1997 where Ken managed the Cargill elevator for 5 years before moving to Rugby in 2002 to be the grain buyer at the Rugby Farmers Elevator until his retirement in 2015. Ken treasured the many relationships he built with farmers & co-workers throughout his 47 year career.
Ken will be remembered for his kindness and gentleness, his faith, and love for his family. Ken’s love for his family was evident in all he did throughout his life. There are countless wonderful memories of camping trips, vacations, and holidays spent together with lots of love and laughter shared.
Ken’s love for family was only surpassed by his faith in Jesus. He exemplified what it meant to truly live out the fruit of the Spirit. He was actively involved in a church in each of the communities where the couple lived and a current member of Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Rugby, North Dakota.
Ken loved the outdoors, from driving around looking at crops to his favorite pastimes of fishing and hunting. He was always eager to share his latest story and enjoyed having his friends and family join him in his passion.
Ken is survived by his wife of 53 years, Deborah; his daughters Crystal (Larry) Page of Wichita, KS and Janean (Justin) Gaa of Olathe, KS; grandchildren, Lauren (Jeff) Butler, Alex (Lydia) Page, Olivia Gaa, Carter Gaa, and Hudson Gaa; siblings, Janet (Dan) Harrington of Alsen, ND, Betty Anderson of Mesa, AZ, Dale (Renee) Arens of Grand Forks, ND, Doris (Tom) Lill of Alsen, ND; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by siblings, Ray Arens, Ritchie Arens, Judy Del Real, Donald Arens; father-in-law Kenny Montgomery, brother-in-law Dwight Montgomery, and his parents.
The celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 14 at Calvary Evangelical
Free Church in Rugby with military honors outside the church, lunch and fellowship to followA private family burial service will take place at the Carrington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in memory of Ken to Lewy Body Dementia Association- https://www.lbda.org/honor-memorial-gifts
Published by The Pierce County Tribune, February 22, 2025.