Longtime Coeur d'Alene resident, Kenneth S. Kirking died at Creekside Inn Memory Care Community on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's.

He was born Aug. 14, 1921, in Snow, N.D., to the late Henry and Cornelia Kirking. Kenneth, his father, mother and four siblings moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1932. Kenneth graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1940 and served in the Pacific Theatre with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. On Dec. 18, 1948, he was united in marriage to Dorothy C. Forness at First Methodist Church in Coeur d'Alene.

Kenneth attended North Idaho Junior College and Los Angeles City College, and began work in 1947 with the Department of Employment for the state of Idaho where he worked as an auditor until his retirement in 1977.

Kenneth was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church. He was a past member of Coeur d'Alene Kiwanis Club, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 486, Coeur d'Alene Elks Lodge No. 1254 and served on the Coeur d'Alene District 271 School Board and Dalton Gardens City Council. Kenneth was also a member of Lake City Harmonizers men's barbershop chorus. Kenneth loved his community, working as a tireless volunteer serving many area needs, including the Thrift Store for Heritage Place, Kootenai County Fairgrounds and singing with good friends, Bertie and Elton Hibbard at local residences for seniors.

Although the needs of his family came first and foremost, Kenneth was an avid baseball fan, enjoyed playing pool and cards with friends, woodworking, singing, raising livestock and vegetable gardening. He was a wonderful and generous father and grandfather, instilling his work ethic, spirit of generosity and deep love of God in his children and grandchildren.

Kenneth is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Judy Kirking; son and daughter-in-law, Darrel and Terri Kirking, both of Dalton Gardens; daughter and son-in-law, Dorene and Patrick Russell of Hayden; six grandchildren, Kamron, Tyler and Scott Kirking, Kimberly Owens, Kelly Cottier and Tom Tomblin; 10 great-grandchildren, Kasidy, Ethan, Kaden, Payten, Addison, Ryen, Mykah and Kyler Kirking, and Kobe and Tatum Cottier.

Kenneth is also survived by brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Dagmar Kirking of Sandpoint; sister-in-law Evelyn Kirking of Seattle; brother-and sister-in-law, Gary and Mary Lou Forness of Liberty Lake, Wash.; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Dorothy, his beloved wife of 58 years; two brothers, Hilbert and Orville; and sisters Myra and Geneva.

Memorial services with military honors for Kenneth will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene. Reception following.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in his name to Children's Village, 1350 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815.

The family would like to thank all of the staff of Hospice of North Idaho and Creekside Inn for their compassionate care and support, and extend a special thanks to Millie Moede for her kind friendship with Dad over the past few years.

Please sign Kenneth's guest registry and view his online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.