The only child of Swedish immigrants Elias Hjarpe and Anne Tiernell, Ken was born in Chicago on July 15th, 1940. He enjoyed school, where he met his best friend Wayne Berghorn. Ken and Wayne would spend a good portion of their time working on Wayne’s family farm.
Ken met his future wife, Judy Weyland in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He quickly became part of the Weyland clan. The two married on May 18, 1963. They started their family in McHenry, Illinois, in a home on Griswold Lake. Their children, Bobbi and Matt, enjoyed living in a storybook setting on the lake. Despite the ideal setting at Griswold Lake, tragedy struck the family as Ken’s parents were killed in a traffic accident on Christmas day 1968. Although he did not speak much about the accident during his life, he recalled many specific memories about his parents, especially during his last days.
In 1975, Ken and Judy moved their young family to Plano, Texas, where the children were reared. They were active in their children’s activities, and enjoyed weekends in their backyard pool with friends and family.
After Judy’s passing in 2001, Ken married Addy Paruolo in 2004. Ken and Addy enjoyed their retirement, traveling widely, including trips around the country and a special trip to Sweden. Together they treasured times with family and their combined 15 grandchildren.
Ken worked in the transportation and construction industries most of his life. He had always been fascinated by cars, trucks, and anything with a motor, so a trucking career suited him well, though he missed his family deeply while he was away. He was proud of his Swedish heritage, was an avid reader, loved country and western music, and the opportunity to enjoy a meal at his favorite restaurant where he bragged about his grandchildren among dear friends. Ken, along with Addy, was a member of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson.
Ken is survived by his loving wife Addy, his children Bobbi and Matt and their families, and Addy’s children and their families.
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