Kenneth Charles Sloan

Kenneth Sloan (Ken) passed away at his home in Pine City, Minnesota on July 4, 2024, at the age of 74.

Kenneth Charles Sloan was born on April 25th, 1950 to parents Rita Langr and William Sloan in Owatonna, Minnesota. He moved with his parents to Mankato after his father returned from his service in the Korean War. Ken grew up primarily in Mankato, with his parents and four sisters: Patty, Cathy, Ann, and Connie. However, he did spend much of his time at his uncle Lawrence Langr’s farm. Lawrence became a second father to Ken, and they were very close. Ken attended and graduated from Catholic School at Loyola High School (Mankato) and when he graduated, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from 1968-1972. He attended basic training in the Great Lakes area and was then stationed in Florida, where he was trained to put out airplane fires, designed and tested drones, and worked in the avionics area, among many other things. Sometime between 1969 and 1970 he was stationed at the Norfolk, Virginia Navy base where he continued his training in engineering. He was honorably discharged in 1972.

While stationed in Virginia, Ken met and married his first wife, Olivia Carn. In 1975, they welcomed what would be his only child, Deborah Ruth. For various reasons, Olivia returned to her hometown, and Ken was able to get full custody of Deborah for the duration of her childhood. Ken was very devoted and handled his role as a parent with grace and excellence. His daughter grew up to be a very strong, hard-working individual, and didn’t ever notice any lack of love that would be there with two parents. Ken and his daughter spent much of their time fishing, ice fishing, camping, and watching old movies. Sundays in particular were always saved for movies and family time, and Deb was not allowed to work or make plans on this day. Ken would take her to church in the morning every Sunday (St. Joseph’s Catholic Church) and then make a big meal and watch old movies. 

In 1978, Ken remarried and moved to Rosemount, Minnesota. That marriage ended in about 1983, and then Ken was a single Dad again until Deb was grown. Ken remarried in 1996 to Rosemary, and they remain married to this day. Ken and Rose moved to Ham Lake, Minnesota very soon after their wedding, and then moved to Pine City after Ken was laid off from State Farm Insurance. He was a vehicle inspector for about 15 years, at which point the company went through a reorganization and closed about eight offices in the area. After the loss of his job, Ken made a decision to completely change his occupation and was hired on as a truck driver for Schaffer Trucking. He eventually retired from Schaffer and as far as we know, he really enjoyed being a driver and saw many interesting things.

Ken and Rose still lived in Pine City, where he was able to receive final hospice care in his home, surrounded by his wife, daughter, and his loving dogs Rocky and Macy. Although it was a very difficult process to watch, he knew his loved ones were there. The legacies he leaves behind include, but are not limited to the following: his daughter and two granddaughters, Lilli Renee Swedin (Age 21) and Olivia Grace Swedin (Age 16), his many woodworking projects that were lovingly crafted for his wife Rose and other family members, his wonderful qualities that made his daughter who she is and passed those down to his granddaughters, and his very robust larger-than- life spirit that touched and in some ways changed everyone around him.

Ken is survived by his wife Rose Sloan of Pine City; daughter Deborah Sloan (Aaron Reynolds) of Farmington; granddaughters Lilli Swedin and Olivia Swedin; sisters Ann (Brian) Sloan of North Mankato, Connie (Lloyd) Griffin of Owatonna, Patty (Dave) Mortensen of Charlotte, North Carolina, many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents William and Rita Sloan; sister Cathy Russell.

Graveside service for Ken: 11 AM; Monday, July 15, 2024 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota, assembly area 6. The interment will take place in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City ~ Swanson Chapel

www.FuneralAndCremationService.com