Kenneth Lhotka, age 74, of Waubun, MN, died Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Ken, as he was known, was born October 11, 1933 to Frank and Ida (Hendrickson) Lhotka in Bagley, MN. He attended school in Mahnomen and was united in marriage to Pat (Bregel) on February 3, 1951 at St. Michael's Catholic Church. They lived in Mahnomen and later moved to Grand Forks, ND, where Ken worked at a potato factory. From 1952-1956 they lived in Oregon where Ken worked at a sawmill. They returned to Mahnomen where they purchased a farm. Along with farming he hunted and trapped. In 1960, he sold the farm and he moved the family to Grand Portage, MN, where he began logging. In 1974, Ken & Pat moved to Waubun, built a new home, and purchased the lumber yard and body shop. He continued his logging operation in Grand Portage until 1981, when he then began logging and farming in the Waubun area until recently when he became ill, with pancreatic cancer. His struggle with cancer did not interfere with his love for his family or with his wonderfully unique sense of humor.

Surviving Ken are his six sons: Duane (Lori), Doug (Darlene), Frank "Steve" (Janet), Kenny (Kathy) all of Waubun, and Larry (Julie) of Fillmore, CA, and Ron of Clairmont, FL; four daughters, Peggy (Jeff) of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Karen (Mort) of Fillmore, CA, Carol (Carey) of Dalton, MN, and Lynn (Byron) of Waubun; 31 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by four sisters, Bernice Dandridge of Atoka, OK, Vivian Aarstad of Meza, AZ, Cleona (Bucky) Wang of Halstad, MN, and Yvonne (Leslie) Underlee of Dalhart, TX; and two sisters-in-law, Jean Lhotka and Darlene Lhotka both of Mahnomen, MN; and his special companion, Sharon Lasker of Waubun.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat; his parents, Frank and Ida; one grandson, Tylor Omang; two Brothers, Russell and Myron Lhotka; one sister, Violet Bjerke; and one son-in-law, Bob Cukla.