Kenneth John Meyer

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Meyer, Kenneth John age 96, from New Hope, MN, passed away peacefully in the morning hours of July 24, 2017, with family by his side. Ken was born in Watertown, South Dakota, on August 7, 1920 when Woodrow Wilson was president. At age five, he moved to Saint Paul and then to Minneapolis where he was raised by a single mother. Ken was never afraid of hard work. He started working when he was 12 years old, selling newspapers on Washington and 2nd Avenue for two cents, making 35 cents a week. When he was 16 he began work at Western Union delivering telegrams on a bicycle eight hours a day for 16 cents an hour. When he was 22 he joined the United States Army as part of the 302nd Airdrome Squadron where he served in England, France and Germany. Ken returned home from the Army in November 1945 and in December 1946 he married his high school sweetheart, Ardis Nelson, and together they began a most remarkable love story that spanned eight decades. Together they grew a family that included four children, 10 grandchildren and six great-grand-children. They traveled to all fifty states and four countries. Their church was always a foundational part of their life. In 1959, along with a handful of families, Ken and Ardis founded Epiphany Episcopal Mission in New Hope, which over the years grew into the Church of Epiphany. They drew strength from the church and formed several hundred friendships over the years. Ken was known for his compassion, sense of humor and his never-failing support and commitment to his family. He loved his life and he really didn't want to go. But he left us all stronger. Ken was preceded in death by his mother, Alma; brother, Reynold; sisters, Myrtle and Florence, and son-in-law, Steven. Ken is survived by his wife, Ardis, children Jeffrey (Ann), Scott, Kevin (Joan), Holly; grandchildren Matthew (Jessica), Alison (Chad), Mark, Joe, Sara (Seamus), Luke, Adam (Kristen), Sean (Kristin), Andrew (Heather), Peter; and great-grandchildren Austin, Liam, Callan, Jackson, Wyatt, Isabelle (and another arriving in September). Services on Saturday, July 29, 2:00 pm (visitation at 1:00 pm) at the Church of Epiphany, 4900 Nathan Lane, Plymouth. Reception follows immediately. Memorials preferred to Church of Epiphany.

Published on July 27, 2017