Kenneth Kannegaard, 66
Friends and family will gather on Saturday, June 10th in Kellogg, Idaho, to say farewell to a beloved husband, father, son, brother, friend, and dedicated coach, Ken Kannegaard, who after a hard fought battle with cancer, passed away peacefully at his Scotts Valley home with his wife, two children and dog by his side. He would have celebrated his 67th birthday on the 20th of June. Born in Wallace, Idaho in 1950, he moved to Heber City, Utah at the age of 13 and was a talented athlete competing in wrestling and football. Ken attended Snow Community College in Utah, and received a wrestling scholarship from Utah State University, where he earned his degree in Kinesiology and Secondary Education. He loved teaching others and aspired to become a high school teacher. However his work with his dad and brothers in the Sunshine Silver Mine of North Idaho began a career spanning more than 40 years in the mining, cement manufacturing and logging industries where he specialized in the field of health and safety. He was very proud of his gold claim on the North Fork of the Yuba River, and loved to tell stories of the larger than life characters that he met, who chose to be miners. Ken worked for 30 years at the Davenport Cement plant and finished his career at Big Creek Lumber as the Health and Safety Manager, and leaves many dear friends and colleagues behind.
Wrestling was his passion, and for 23 years, Ken was the wrestling coach at Scotts Valley Middle School and Scotts Valley High School. The demands and discipline of the sport that he was so familiar with helped him to shape the lives of young people, and encourage them to embrace life’s challenges beyond the mat. He was incredibly proud of all his student athletes but especially the girls wrestling team that he established at SVHS; which produced state, All-American, and national champions and a soon to be Olympic athlete in Tokyo 2020. Ken also served on the Board of Directors of the Scotts Valley Water District, a member of the Santa Cruz Elks Lodge and a very active member of the San Augustin Catholic Church of Scotts Valley.
Friends will remember him for his booming voice, incredible hugs, unending wisdom and unforgettable stories and sayings such as his favorite: “Life is like wrestling. Wrestling is like life”.His family will always cherish their time spent listening to his stories, being taught something new, the many adventures he took them on and his love for animals, especially his beloved German Shepherd companion “Schnigglefritz”.
Ken is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Jacque Kannegaard, his devoted daughter, Kendra Kannegaard, his dedicated son Kieffer Kannegaard.
The eldest of seven children, Kenny also leaves his siblings Jillene, Jimmy, Matt, Trisha, John and Mark as well as his mother Jackie Kannegaard of Kellogg, Idaho.
He also leaves behind countless nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, in-laws, cousins, students and dear friends.
Rosary services will be held on Saturday, June 10th, 2017 at 9:00 A.M., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 A.M. at St. Rita’s Catholic Church of Kellogg with Father Jerome Montez serving as celebrant. A reception and a gathering of family and friends will be held in the Church Fellowship Hall following the Mass. Interment will be held at the Nine Mile Cemetery of Wallace at 1:00 P.M., where he will be laid to rest beside his late father, Andy Kannegaard.
One may sign Ken’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com
SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORY KELLOGG, IDAHO is entrusted with funeral arrangements.