Kenneth John Ganzer

Ken was born on August 12, 1947 in Dickinson, ND to John and Lena (Kolling) Ganzer.

He was a member of the first graduating class of Trinity High School, Dickinson, ND, in 1965. He then attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND, graduating in 1969 with a degree in Accounting. Following graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy and served four years as an aviation electronics technician. Ken continued his service with ongoing participation in the Vietnam Era Twins Study on Aging program.

He returned to Dickinson where he married Barbara Wolla in 1975. They had two children, David and Paul, and enjoyed 19 years raising their family. Ken lost Barb to cancer in 1994.

Ken worked as Senior Vice President and Branch Manager at Gate City Bank for over 30 years. He was an avid supporter of Dickinson State University athletics as a long term member of the Blue Hawk Booster Club. He enjoyed many sports, including softball, golf, and basketball. Ken was passionate about cooking and his specialties included pizza, lefse, Italian beef and prime rib.

Ken retired in 2006 and moved to Arizona. Mutual friends connected Ken with Dawn Kallestad and they spent many wonderful years together. Ken and Dawn were married in 2014.

Ken will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Dawn Ganzer of Peoria, AZ; sons David (Shannon) Ganzer of Phoenix, AZ and their children Tyler and Allison, and Paul Ganzer of Reno NV and his son Logan; step-daughter Lisa (Brian) Carpenter of Bismarck, ND and their children Cayden and Emilyn; brothers Keith (Marge) Ganzer of Mesa, AZ and Bill Ganzer of Zimmerman, MN; and sister Jane (Larry) Meyer of Fairfield, MT. He will be remembered fondly by loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, a host of long-time friends, and his numerous golf and coffee buddies in North Dakota and Arizona.

Ken's generosity continues through organ donation. He was always thinking of others.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Lena and first wife Barbara.

Ken wished to be cremated and his remains will be interred at the National Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ. Memorials may be made to The MDS Foundation, 4573 South Broad Street, Suite 150, Yardville, NJ 08620 or online at www.mds-foundation.org in memory of Kenneth J. Ganzer.