Kenneth Raymond Oksendahl

Kenneth R. Oksendahl, Richmond, MN, 71, died unexpectedly at this winter home in Mesa, AZ March 5, 2022.

He was born Nov. 29, 1950 to Bradley D. and Lois E. (Dokken) Oksendahl in Morris, MN.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Hancock, MN and graduated from Hancock High School in 1968. He enjoyed working on a farm in Hancock throughout high school and attended the Willmar Minnesota Junior College for one year studying Forestry. He was drafted by the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War 1969-1971. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended the Minnesota School of Business, Minneapolis, for computer science.

He married Nancy Baumgartner, Aug. 14, 1971 at Church of St. Lukes, Clearwater, MN. They lived in several homes in the Minneapolis area raising their two boys. He loved working with wood and using the walnut trees from his parents home in Hancock to create unique pieces in every home.

He was employed by Northwest Airlines in 1989 as IT Manager and retired from that position with Delta Airlines in 2012. Following retirement, they moved to Richmond, MN on the Chain of Lakes, where they built their lake home. Living in Richmond, he helped as an office assistant, developing the weekly church bulletin for the St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church.

He took daily walks with his best buddy, his dog, Ruby, and at their winter home in Mesa, he and his wife enjoyed the sport of playing pickleball meeting many new friends and also enjoying golf. It was a true joy to have their two boys and grandchildren spend time at the lake and coming to see them in Arizona. He enjoyed fishing with his dad growing up and also fishing and deer hunting with his two boys and special family friends over the years at their campsite in the International Falls area.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy of 50 years, two sons: Jason (Kelly), Rosemount, MN; Ryan (April), Bloomington, MN; three grandchildren: Morgan, Carter, Lakelyn, mother Lois Oksendahl, Detroit Lakes, MN; three sisters: Marcia (Gary) Greiner, Hancock, MN; Gail (Jim) Norland, Detroit Lakes, MN; Donna (Tom) Craigmile, Detroit Lakes, MN. He was preceded in death by his father, Bradley Oksendahl in 2010.

A Celebration of life service will be held 11 a.m. April 22, 2022 at St Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 110 Central Ave. N., Richmond, MN. Live link to view service at: https://www.christcatholic.com

Expressions of sympathy may be shared at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park & Funeral Care, Mesa, AZ. www.mariposagardens.com.

Memorials in memory of Ken Oksendahl can be made to: Our Redeemers Lutheran Church Sunday School, 858 5th St., Hancock, MN 56244 and the American Heart Association.