Kenneth Charles Sanders' Obituary
Ken was born on April 20, 1927, the only child to Harry and Elvira Sanders in Milwaukee, WI. He passed into eternal life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, February 2, 2018 in Ft. Myers, FL.Ken graduated as valedictorian from Riverside High School class of January 1945. Upon graduation, he volunteered for the Navy at age 17 and served until August 1946. Though never in harm’s way, Ken was eager to serve his country during the tumult of World War II. Ken’s naval career was spent mostly in training and he served on the decommissioning crew for the USS Knapp, DD 653.After his discharge from the Navy, Ken attended Northwestern University’s School of Commerce graduating Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Business Administration in June 1950. Later, while working at the Heil company in Milwaukee, Ken would earn an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee night school.Having earned his BS degree, Ken married the love of his life, Caryl Livingston in July 1950. Sadly, Caryl preceded Ken into eternal life in December 1983. Together, Ken and Caryl raised daughter Susan Sanders-Johnson and son Stephen Sanders. Through Sue, Ken was blessed with grandchildren Arielle and Evan. Through Steve, Ken was blessed with grandchildren Christine Wright (Christie and her husband Nick blessed Ken with great grandchildren Lucas and Ethan), Jennifer Gerken (husband Christian) and Brianna Sanders.Ken started his professional career at the Heil Company in Milwaukee. Having advanced through several levels of middle management over 11 years, Ken found a more promising opportunity as Director of Marketing Research with US Gypsum (USG) in Chicago, IL. Though the role meant moving from the family home of Milwaukee to Chicago, the move offered both professional and family growth in the cosmopolitan and transient culture of the Chicago suburb, Mt. Prospect. Ken’s success at USG did not go unnoticed and he received a call from a recruiting firm seeking executive talent with specialized skills the Great Northern Railroad (GN) required; ones Ken had in spades!Joining the GN in 1969 was a game-changer for Ken and family moving them to Minneapolis-St. Paul MN and beginning the most professionally rewarding chapter of Ken’s life. Shortly after moving to the GN, it merged with two other railroads becoming the Burlington Northern Railroad (BN); the nation’s largest in terms of track-miles. Ken rose to Assistant VP Corporate Planning at the BN and from there helped found, and for many years chaired, the Railway Planning Association and was a member and then President of the American Railroad Development Association. Recognizing Ken’s contributions, the BN selected Ken as its representative to the 75th Harvard Advanced Management Program in 1977.In 1983, Ken took early retirement from the BN as Caryl’s long battle with cancer entered an acute stage sadly ending with her passing within a year of Ken’s retirement.Upon retiring, Ken found many satisfying volunteer roles in which to use his interpersonal and business skills. These included consulting to Lutheran Social Services of MN, consulting to small businessowners through SCORE and Chief Financial Officer of several church organizations. Ken also enjoyed traveling taking several Euro Railing trips, ocean cruises and travelling across the US.A Memorial Service for Ken will be celebrated at 3:15 pm on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at the Village Church at Shell Point, 15100 Shell Point Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33908, (239) 454-2147. Following this ceremony, Ken will return to Minnesota where a Visitation will be held at 12:30 PM followed by Funeral Service and Burial at 1:00 PM on Monday, February 12, 2018 at Dawn Valley Memorial Park, 9940 Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, Minnesota 55438, (952) 941-7686.Memorials can be made on Ken’s behalf to:1. ELCA World Hunger2. Riverside University High School FoundationTo share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer condolences to the family at this difficult time please visit Kenneth’s memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign his guestbook.
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