Kenneth Jorgen Petersen Sr.

Kenneth Jorgen Petersen

Kenneth (Kenny) Jorgen Petersen, Sr., 84, passed away on December 18, 2021 in Wasilla, Alaska surrounded by his loving family and friends.

He was born in Butte, Montana on July 10, 1937 to Matthew Jorgen and Clara Eva Petersen. He was preceded in death by his parents; beautiful, devoted wife Caroline Sue Petersen; his sons, Steven Matthew Petersen, Kenneth Jorgen Petersen, Jr., brothers, Leonard of Helena, Gerald of Sheridan and his sister, Helen Carden of Butte.

Ken is survived by his brother, Richard Petersen of Butte; his daughter, Sherri Lee and her husband, Richard Martin of Gig Harbor, Washington; and granddaughter, Sarah Anne Martin of University Place, Washington and her husband, Andrew Potts; daughter, Kara Marie Petersen and grandson Jacob Jorgen Petersen of Gig Harbor, Washington; Grandsons, Chad Alan Petersen of Butte and Joshua Kenneth Petersen of Helena; Joshua and Kara E. Petersen are the parents of Ken’s great granddaughters, Kenzie Elizabeth, Kyrie June, and Maisie Shea Petersen.

Ken is also survived by his stepson, Richard Coltor and granddaughter, Christen of Las Vegas. Granddaughter Ashley and great grandchildren Dylan & Millie, also of Las Vegas. Grandson Nick Coltor and great grandson, Nico of Lake Tahoe.

Ken attended Butte High School and served his country in the United States Navy from July of 1954 to October of 1957, stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He shared a lifelong friendship with his comrade, Arnold (Pops) Rosdahl of Sheridan, Montana.

He married Marcia Ann Kuoppala, daughter of Gunnard and Elizabeth Kuoppala of Butte on July 26, 1956. After 24 years of marriage, Ken & Marcia divorced.

Ken worked at the Anaconda Corporation from 1960 to 1978 as a superintendent for maintenance and new construction located at the Butte Copper Concentrator. He went on to work for R.H. Grover Inc. at Malstrom Airforce Base in Great Falls and Kaiser Engineers in Butte.

He also worked for Reynolds Electrical Engineering Company at Area 51 located in Mercury, Nevada, which is commonly known as a highly classified remote detachment administered by Edwards Air Force Base.

It was in Nevada that Ken met Caroline and they were married on November 11, 1983, purchased a home in Wasilla in December of 1988 and shared a beautiful life together gardening and growing Grand Champion potatoes for the Alaska State Fair. They also loved to go fishing frequently. Mr. Max was their loving and loyal furry companion.

While living in Wasilla, Ken spent the rest of his career working on the Alaska Pipeline and other projects throughout the state with his lifelong friend, Tim Hunter.

Ken made many amazing friends while living in Alaska including his neighbor, Dave Klein. Fishing and hunting buddies, Bernadette and Ismael Baez. Dear friends, Peaches & Woody Hamilton and flying buddies, Gary and Amy Haass. He also loved to flirt with Raquel and the ladies at Carr’s grocery store.

Ken’s best advice about life would simply be…Live, Love and Laugh often!

In lieu of flowers, donations to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wasilla would be greatly appreciated.

A memorial service will be held on April 23, 2022 at 2 pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wasilla where Ken was loved by the entire congregation.

Now that he has gone to heaven, his dear friend, Pastor Rick Cavens is officially in charge!

Ken will be laid to rest in the Laurin Cemetery located in Sheridan, Montana on Memorial Day, May 31, 2022. He was loved by many people and will be dearly missed.

Farewell, Mr. Petersen!