Kenneth Ralph Friedlander

A choir of angels swooped down to reclaim the most gifted wood-carvin', string-strummin', and bird-callin' man this side of Yawunik. Kenneth R. Friedlander Sr. began his journey with the ancestors on November 14, 2015. Ken was born to William (Bill) Sr. and Velda Friedlander on February 18, 1927 in Nespelem, Washington. He was a proud member of the Colville Confederated Tribes.

He joined the United States Navy at the tender age of 16 and served in World War II aboard the U.S.S. Comstock (LDS-19). He married Margaret Mary Mathias in 1950 and they raised their family in Hot Springs, MT. Ken began a storied career in dam construction to free us from the Dark Ages. He was part of a concrete and detonating crew on the Grand Coulee, John Day, The Dalles and Hungry Horse Dams. As a gifted musician, his band played live radio and weekend gigs. He was often called upon to play taps for his fallen comrades.

Ken was a natural born teacher and a champion of Indian education. In the the 1970s, he taught mathematics in St. Ignatius to help adults earn GEDs. In 1975, he moved his family to Bonners Ferry, Idaho to work for the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho. As the Site Manager he oversaw new homesite construction and road building. He retired as the KTI Manager of Facilities Maintenance and in 2006 returned to Dayton with his wife, Marge.

Ken was raised in the Columbia Basin where he learned strong work ethics on the family ranch and in their orchards. He was a master gardener growing everything from gigantic vegetables to perfectly manicured bonsai. Family gatherings usually consisted of gourmet food, live music and a crescendo of conversation and laughter. Chef Dad shared his preserves of fruits and vegetables, moose and salmon, jellies, jam and homemade desserts with everyone. At least four generations enjoyed his farm to table concoctions of love.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, William Jr. and Frank; a sister, Evelyn Nissen; step-son Duane Albert and grandson, Jeremy Stiffarm. He is survived by his wife Margaret of Dayton and sister, Wilma (Fred) Blessing of Spokane. His surviving children are: Ken (Charlene) Friedlander Jr., of Pablo, Karen Friedlander (Mike McCuistion), of Spokane, Rhonda Friedlander (Ted Bessette) of Omak, Velda (Bruce) Shelby of Arlee, Lois Friedlander (Ralph Johnson) of Dayton, Wendell (Joe) Friedlander (Mary) and Gena Jerrow of Pablo. He was a proud Grandfather of 22 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren.

True to his roots, he was an avid fisherman, sports fan and cruciverbalist. Somewhere in the celestials, our beloved sailor now strums along with a choir of angels. We'll be listening for the melody in a bird call.

A Wake Service and Rosary Recital was held at the Elmo Hall. Funeral Mass begins at Noon today, November 17, 2015 with a Military Burial in the Dayton Cemetery.
Read Kenneth Friedlander's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.