Kenneth Ochsner

Kenneth George Ochsner, 76, passed away at his home on October 10, 2022, following an extended illness with his loving family and favorite nurse by his side.

Ken was born December 12, 1945 in Fort Collins, Colorado to George Ochsner Jr. and Estalene (Stewart) Ochsner. He was the second of three children, having an older sister Althea (Ochsner) Prull and 15 years later, a younger brother, Perry Ochsner. He attended Harmony School thru 8th Grade and graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1963. He was confirmed into the Lutheran faith in eighth grade and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church most of his life before joining the congregation of Timberline Church in the mid-1990’s.

Growing up, he was actively involved in 4-H as a member of the Friendly Few 4-H club showing cattle, participating on the 4-H livestock judging team and being a member of the state champion square dance team. He exhibited the Grand Champion Catch-it-Calf at the 1960 National Western Stock Show and won Champion Steer at the Larimer County Fair in 1963. He became a member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) as a freshman in High School. That decision sparked his lifelong love and support for the Blue and Gold! He received his Greenhand, Chapter Farmer and State Farmer Degrees and ultimately was awarded the American Farmer Degree in 1965 – an accomplishment only 2% of FFA members achieved.

Growing up on his family’s farm south of Fort Collins, he not only developed a passion for farming and raising cattle, he also developed an interest in horses, rodeo and cool cars! Ken learned how to ride at a young age and enjoyed going to Jr. Rodeos and Gymkhanas – competing… and excelling…in everything from rescue races, scoop-shovel races, barrel races, calf roping and bull riding. In high school, he had two sources of pride and joy – Little River Red, his bay gelding that he purchased for $225 and trained himself, and his 1959 Chevrolet Impala. Weekends would find him heading to a rodeo or Gymkhana or cruising College Avenue - first with that ’59 Impala and later with his ’63 Impala Super Sport. His love for good horses and cool cars never faded!

While good horses and cars brought him great joy, as a Junior in high school, he found the true love of his life sitting across the room in English class. Roberta Kerbs was a farm girl herself and once they started dating, he didn’t let that beautiful blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl leave his sight! On September 19, 1965, they were married at Plymouth Congregational Church on one of three dates Ken offered as wedding options as it would fit nicely between silage harvest and sugar beet harvest! That began a lifelong love affair between two people who stuck together through thick and thin, better or worse, in sickness and in health.

Working alongside his best friend and dad, George Ochsner, he built an irrigated farming and cattle operation in Fort Collins. In 1971, he was presented the Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer Award and was also recognized as the Outstanding Young Farmer by the Colorado Young Farmers Education Association. Ken was a progressive-minded farmer and rancher being among the first beef cattle producers in the area to begin artificially inseminating cows and utilizing Charolais and Limousin – new continental breeds of cattle – to cross with his Angus cows. In fact, in 1970, he fed out some of the very first half-blood Limousin calves in North America for a feeding trial at CSU. He was also the first in the area to begin having club calf sales in 1970. In 1972, one of the steers he raised and sold became the first crossbred steer ever to win Grand Champion at the Colorado State Fair.

Ken was a teacher at heart and loved helping young people. He taught countless numbers of 4-H and FFA members how to feed, clip, fit and show cattle and served as a 4-H leader and Beef Superintendent for the Larimer County Fair. He was also a founding member of the Colorado FFA Foundation.

Ken and Roberta were blessed with two sons, Kevin and Kenton. Ken cultivated a passion for agriculture in his boys and encouraged them both to get involved in 4-H and FFA. Throughout his life, Ken encouraged both boys to chase their dreams and willingly made any sacrifice necessary to help them achieve their goals. Nothing made Ken more proud than watching his sons and grandchildren show cattle, ride horses, and play sports. His six grandchildren brought him great joy and were the apple of his eye! But, the greatest legacy he left for his family was the faith he demonstrated as he endured countless health issues including two bouts with cancer and a liver transplant. Doctors, nurses, family and friends often referred to him as “the toughest man they knew,” but for him, it was less about being tough, and more about his unwavering belief that if God brought him to it, He would also bring him through it!

Ken is survived by his wife, Roberta of 57 years, his sons Kevin and Julie (Classen) Ochsner and Kenton and Tessa (Matthews) Ochsner, 6 grandchildren Caitlyn, Ashlyn, Delaney, Collin, Owen and Clara and one sister Althea (Ochsner)Prull, and 15 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, George, mother Estalene and younger brother Perry Ochsner.

A celebration of life will be held at Timberline Church 2908 South Timberline, Fort Collins, Colorado on Monday, October 17th at 10:00 a.m. with a reception and graveside service to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to be made in the name of Ken Ochsner Memorial to the Colorado FFA Foundation P.O. Box 1000, Greeley, CO 80632 or online at www.coloradoffafoundation.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.allnuttloveland.com for the Ochsner family.