Kenneth Charles Strawder

KENNETH CHARLES STRAWDER, 89 of North Platte, formerly of Wallace, passed away Thursday, April 11, 2019, at Linden Court in North Platte.

Ken was born June 15, 1929, at Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Harry and Kate (Padgett) Strawder. He was raised on a ranch southeast of Wallace, Nebraska, where he lived for eighty years. Ken attended District 46 country school through the 8th grade, riding a horse to school each day. He went on to graduate from the Nebraska School of Agriculture at Curtis with the class of 1946.

Ken served in the U.S. Army from January 1951, until his honorable discharge in October the following year. During his service, Ken was deployed to Korea, where he served in the K9 Corps as the Scout Dog Patrol Leader during night patrols. In 1953, Ken married Wilma McNeel, and their union was blessed with five children.

Ken was a member of the Wallace United Methodist Church where he had been active on the Administrative Board, the American Legion Post 213, and was a founding member of the Wallace Roping Club. He served on the Board of Directors at Farmers State Bank, the Wallace School Board, and the Morning View Cemetery Board for 39 years.

Ken had a passion for knowledge of Native American artifacts, which he shared with the community whenever asked.

Ken was an avid story teller who loved to joke and tease. As any good grandpa would, Ken loved spending time with his grandchildren, who he referred to as "little skunks." He would, in turn, earn the nickname, "grandpa skunk" from his adoring grandkids.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, David.

Survivors include his wife, Wilma of North Platte; son, Barry Strawder of Omaha; daughters, Kendra Walden of Garland, TX, Sherry (Eugene) Coppersmith of Lincoln, Tammy (Marc) Mills of Saint Charles, MO; granddaughters, Amy (Kevin) Manzer, Ashley (Derrick) Krienert, Marissa Walden, McKayla and Callie Mills; six great-grandchildren; along with many other relatives and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Wallace Morning View Cemetery in Kenneth's memory. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. CT at the Wallace United Methodist Church with Pastor Charles Nyamakope officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Wallace Morning View Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Monday, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MT at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant

Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.