At the age of 66, our beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend died at home, peacefully in his sleep, Sunday, March 19, 2006.

Ken was born in Hamilton on July 4, 1939, the son of Malcolm W. and Ellen C. (Rogers) Birnel.

Ken served in the Naval Seabees and the U.S. Army, receiving his discharge in 1962.

After his military enlistment, he moved to Martin City with his wife, Barbara (Ellison), and raised their five children.

Ken was a member of the Union of Operations Engineers Local 400 for 33 years; he served as chief of the Martin City Volunteer Fire Department; was a member of the school board in the Columbia Falls School District; and served as deputy sheriff in Ravalli County.

He was an outdoorsman who acted as a professional hunting guide, and he loved the family fishing and camping trips. Gardening, carpentry, logging, mechanics, cooking and canning were his other passions.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm and Ellen; and brothers, Bruce M. and Forrest D. Birnel.

Ken leaves behind his siblings, Mary Jane Mansfield of Montana, Anna N. Brown of Arizona, Robert E. Birnel of Alaska, and Shirley E. Ferguson of Minnesota; his children, Kathy C. and Leonard Jr., Dailey, Rebecca J. West, Wendy L. and Scott Cyrus, and Kenneth D. and Kathy Birnel, Jr., all of Montana, and JoAnn E. and Leonard Seurer of Alaska; grandchildren, Jennifer and Erin Dailey, Thomas and Michael West, Jessica, Joshua and Kevin Cyrus, and Jill Birnel, Christina and Linda Seurer; several stepchildren, stepgrandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family meant everything to Dad — he will be missed by all who knew and loved him. 'Keep your eagle's eye on us, you 'little firecracker.''

A memorial service for Ken will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings.

Memorials may be made in loving memory of Ken Birnel, Western Security Bank, P.O. Box 20637, Billings, MT 59104-0637.