Kenneth G Blanchard

Kenneth G. Blanchard age 88 of Detroit Lakes, MN died December 17, 2020 at Essentia Health – St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes, MN. Kenneth Gene Blanchard was born August 18, 1932 in St. Paul, MN to Clifford and Elizabeth (Emblom) Blanchard. As a young boy the family move to LaPorte, MN, where he grew up and attended school, graduating from LaPorte High School in 1951. On August 16, 1952 he was united in marriage to Gladys Opsal in LaPorte. They made their home in Mpls, MN. Ken served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1957. Following his discharge from the Army he attended the Dunwoody Institute in Mpls, where he studied Mechanical Drafting. He worked for Control Data, International Milling, and Northern States Power in Mpls. In 1967 they moved to Detroit Lakes and he started his career as an instructor at the Detroit Lakes Community and Technical College in Mechanical Drafting. He retired from there in 1986. Following his retirement he taught at Skills and Tech in Fargo, ND, which was affiliated with North Dakota State University and North Dakota Sate School of Science. Most of his students were new citizens of the United States. Ken was very active at Community Alliance Church, serving as an elder, usher, and Sunday School Teacher. He also enjoyed the Men’s Bible Study. He enjoyed interacting with people, especially kids. He also loved to hunt and fish. Ken is survived by his wife, Gladys; one daughter, Sonja (Stephen) Grunlan, of Chanhassan, MN; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by six brothers, Maynard, Harlan, Orlan, LeRoy, Donald, and Bruce; two sisters, Carroll Johnson, and Bonita Paine; and his parents. Private Family Services will be on Tuesday December 22, 2020; 11:00 a.m. at the Community Alliance Church in Detroit Lakes, MN. Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, LaPorte, MN. Arrangements have been entrusted to the West-Kjos Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes.