Kenneth Neal Bryan, 93

Kenneth Neal Bryan passed peacefully in his sleep at the Schneidmiller Hospice House on Jan. 20, 2026. Born to Lulie and Tom Bryan, Ken was born on a family farm near Iredell, Texas, in Bosque County. He was the third of four children.

When his parents divorced, he followed his older sister, Mary Carson, and her husband, Roy, first to San Francisco and then to North Idaho, where Ken spent the rest of his life. Ken graduated from CHS in 1950. He accepted Christ as his Savior as a teen and, after high school, attended Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland for three years. By this time, his mother and younger sister, Elaine, had also moved to Coeur d’Alene.

In 1954, Ken enlisted in the Army and served three years, some of that time in France, and was discharged, returning home in 1957. The next years were spent working for and managing the Panhandle Roofing Co. in Coeur d’Alene.

In 1971, Ken married family friend and the love of his life, Frankie Korff, and inherited her four grown children: Erv, Cindy, Dave (Micki), and Roger. His sister, Mary Carson, opened Mary Carson Catering about the same time, and he enjoyed working with her, serving many clients in the North Idaho and Spokane area. 

In 1977, Frankie encouraged Ken to pursue his dream of becoming a pastry chef. He applied to the prestigious La Varenne in Paris, was accepted, soon graduated, and began his fascinating career in cooking and pastry. Frankie joined him in the last month of classes to get a glimpse of Paris and all that he had experienced. Within a month of returning, Ken opened KB’s Patisserie and had all the business he could handle baking for Mary’s clients and many of the top restaurants in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, including Beverly’s, Templin’s, and Milford’s in Spokane.

In 1976, Midge and Pepper Smock opened the Peppermill (kitchen store) at the CDA mall. Shortly after he returned from Paris, Ken was teaching cooking classes at the Peppermill, hosting/teaching a very popular monthly wine tasting event also at the Peppermill and giving private classes in his Patisserie kitchen (the men’s class was especially popular – “You mean we get to eat Ken’s food, learn to make pastries, drink wine, and watch Ken cook? Sign me up!”)

Ken’s memory album shows he was frequently covered by TV and newspapers in the Northwest for his pastry contributions to charities and clubs. The famous Kitchen Emporium in Los Angeles, Calif., featured Ken as the visiting instructor for their fall classes.

Ken and Frankie’s life was filled with blessings — work that they loved, lots of kids — grandkids, nieces, and nephews, great nieces and nephews, many living in town and many friends. Family get-togethers were frequent, and birthdays were well celebrated. 

Frankie frequently started her days at 4 a.m. in the pastry kitchen before she headed off to work at Idaho First National Bank downtown. She and Ken enjoyed running the pastry business and meeting new people. Many times, Ken had opportunities to donate pastries for fundraisers and looked forward to helping. For several years, ladies got together and presented a Christmas Tea for the residents at Heritage Place – his pastries were the stars.

Mary’s husband died in 1991; in 1999, she closed Mary Carson Catering, Frankie retired from the bank, and KB’s Patisserie downsized as they traveled more. Frankie became ill and died in 2014.

Ken was preceded in death by his mother, Lulie Bryan; wife, Frankie; sister and brother-in-law, Roy and Mary Carson; brother, Tommy Joe; and nephew, Dan Carson. Ken is survived by his sister, Elaine Thompson (Lyle); stepdaughter, Cindy Rattray; stepdaughter-in-law, Micki Bidon; nieces: Beth Dane (John), Connie Spurlock (Sonny), Stacy Carson; nephew, David Carson (Dixie). He was also survived by a large number of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews: Stacy (Tony) Norris, Chase, Connor, Scott (Emma) Spurlock, Seth, Innes, Sam Dane (Kirsten), Josie, Kacy Carson and Shae Rockenbach, Tim Thompson (Shannon), Tyler, Sarah, Mary (Steve) Silworth, Meagan, and Whitney; grandchildren: Mike Korff, Katie Wise (Wes), Matt Krachunis (Crystal), Tyler Korff (April) and Erin Korff (Joy); great-grandchildren: Talon and Tyson Wise, Gabe and Faith Krachunis, Vance Korff, Deliah and Leo Korff; and great-great-grandson, Paul Krachunis.

Ken was a kind, loving, generous friend, uncle, grandfather, and an example to us all. He was a lifelong San Francisco 49er fan.

A private family celebration of life will be held in April. Donations in his memory may be made to Schneidmiller Hospice House (2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815). Please visit Ken’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.