A beloved husband, father, brother and friend went to be with the Lord Dec. 11, 2011. He passed away peacefully in his sleep in his home in Post Falls.

Ken was born Nov. 26, 1928, to Fred and Caroline Wolkenhauer on their homestead near Flaxton, N.D.

He married JoAnn Carpenter on Oct. 24, 1954, in Kalispell, Mont. Ken and JoAnn spent most of their 57 happy years together in the communities of Post Falls and Spokane, building enduring friendships and a wonderful life for their family.

Ken was a railroad engineer, working for the Great Northern and Burlington Northern railroad for 40 years. Though he ran the train, he always said God was the pilot and he was just the copilot. His strong work ethic, integrity, character and sense of humor were just a few of his memorable traits.

He loved being in the woods and spent as much time as he could thinning trees and logging, some of which yielded enough lumber for he and JoAnn to build their own house on the Rathdrum Prairie by McGuire Road.

In his later years, favorite activities included involvement with Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, delivering doughnuts to the crew at Welding Fabrication Machining Services Inc., supporting the American Legion and attending railway retirement functions. He helped establish WFMS and had a special father/son relationship with owner Pat Harrington.

Hearing Ken recall his numerous adventures from his childhood on the homestead during the Great Depression/Dust Bowl days always proved entertaining, humorous and informative. He had a warm, friendly personality and made many friends in the area. He will be deeply missed.

Among those left to mourn his passing are his wife, JoAnn; children Vicki Peterson and husband Dan, Alisa Pfaff and husband Terry, Jeff Wolkenhauer and wife Jeanie; one brother, Alfred Wolkenhauer of Flaxton, N.D.; three sisters, Heidi Eaton and Ruth Grant of Minot, N.D., and Marie Jacobson of Oxbow, Canada; as well as numerous grandkids, great-grandkids, nieces and nephews.

In honor of his wishes, no funeral or memorial is planned.