Keneth Bilden Swendseid
Keneth Bilden Swendseid, most loving husband and father, died at the Billings Clinic Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, concluding a 25-year struggle with Wegner’s disease.
Keneth, or Ken, as he was better known, was born on March 14, 1946, in Rochester, Minn., as the third child of Leonard C. and Thelma Bilden Swendseid, both first generation Norwegian-Americans. After much movement, the Swendseids settled in Lander, Wyo. After his graduation from Lander High in 1964, Ken was drafted into the Armed Forces and posted to Kuma (“Bear”) Station, Chitose, Japan from 1966 to 1967.
In Chitose, he met his future wife, Keiko Tabata, whom he married in 1967 days before the birth of his daughter, Katrina Akiko. The young family returned to the United States and, in 1969, a son, Kent Benke, was born. Billings became their home in the 1970s while Ken obtained a BA in education from Eastern Montana College.
For the next five years, Ken worked as a teacher at the rural school Elder Grove, however, he was better known to the community through his proprietorship of Swendseid’s Poly Exxon and, recently, Uncle Ken’s Tire and Auto for nearly 30 years.
In Billings, Ken is survived by his wife, Keiko; his second brother and sister-in-law, Lowell and Carole Swendseid and cousins, Karen Bergstrom and Ricky Larsen. In Eugene, Ore., his successors are his son-in-law, Jok Sinar Ang and daughter, Katrina Swendseid-Ang; grandaughter, Maren Ang and grandson due in February.
In Seattle, Wash., he is succeeded by his son, Kent Swendseid, and daughter-in-law, Christine Swendseid, nee Hettick formerly of Helena, and numerous “grandcats.”
A memorial coffee will be held on Monday, Nov. 23, 8 until 10 a.m. at Uncle Ken’s Tire and Auto, 2500 Grand Avenue. A funeral service will follow on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m. at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Please kindly direct memorials to Mount Olive Lutheran Church.
The family wishes to thank Dr. James Knotsman and all the physicians and nurses who have dedicated their efforts to Ken’s care over the past two decades.
Remembrances
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Keiko & family:
He fought the battle, and now he's in the arms of Jesus. May you find comfort in knowing that others are lifting you up in thought and prayer.
Big bear hugs and love,
Cathy Earles