Kenneth Joseph Loyer

Kenneth Joseph Loyer

Kenneth Joseph Loyer, 86, passed away peacefully on Nov. 21 from dementia complications in Palmer, Alaska, with his three daughters at his bedside.

Ken was born to Joseph and Naomi Loyer in Mikado, Michigan. In 1935, his parents made the journey to Alaska as Matanuska Valley Colonists with their children James, Norma, Victor and infant Ken. For 85 years, Ken continued to live on the same property that his family drew in the New Deal land drawing.

Ken worked as a dairy farmer until 1968. He then went into business with his brothers, James and Vic, as Loyer Brother’s Construction before starting his own business, Ken Loyer Excavating. Over the years he worked on a great many projects throughout Alaska. As a subcontractor for Matanuska Telephone Association, he helped build projects from Healy to the Matanuska Valley and over to Tyonek. Many private homes throughout the Matanuska Valley and Denali Borough have water lines and septic systems he installed. Ken was also known as the “Grave Digger.” For more than 50 years he did this job with great kindness in Palmer and Wasilla. Ken was also capable of locating where your water line was or locating an area to get well water by way of “witching” and always carried rods in the back of his truck.

He will be most remembered for his big heart, generosity, work ethic and his love for family. His home was always open to everyone, and throughout the years many, both family and friends, have lived there with him. His “second home” for many years was the Colony Kitchen/Noisy Goose Café for coffee, meals (many), and probably more so to tease the gals that work there. He had a love of horses, of which he always had many and loved to have. Kids especially would come over to pet them and feed the horses carrots — of which they got plenty. Many would say, “He’s a Horse Whisperer” when they saw how the horses responded to him. He loved his work; it was his way of helping people and he truly enjoyed being on a piece of equipment.

This man never met a stranger. If you passed him in a vehicle you got a wave, if you passed him on the sidewalk you’d get a smile and a “Hi, how are you?”

He was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Chris; his parents, Joseph and Naomi Loyer; his brothers: James, Victor and Gary; and his sister, Norma Benson.

Ken is survived by his daughters: Marcie (Dan) Bentti and Kenna Loyer; sons: Scott (Keri Ann) Gregory, Matthew Gregory, and Jeremy Loyer; goddaughter, Brenda Green; siblings: Fred Loyer, Dorothy Hubbard (Ron Meehan), Rick (Linda) Loyer, Rita Loyer, Jan (Lee) Svoboda, Dennis “Butch” (Emily) Loyer; sister-in-law, Tammy (Monte) Armstrong; grandchildren Kristin (Joe) Ackerland, Collin, Tyler, and Carter Gregory; and great-granddaughter, Aubrielle Ackerland. He leaves a great many cherished nieces, nephews, great- nieces and -nephews, and many more relations both in Alaska and Michigan, those that affectionately referred to him as Dad or Grandpa Ken or Uncle Ken, and dear and longtime friends, of which there are many.

A very special thank you to the wonderful ladies at Tranquility Manor for the care they gave our Dad.

In lieu of flowers, we request that in his memory you perform a generous random act of kindness.

A remembrance will be announced at a later date.