Kenneth was born in Brule, Wisconsin, and moved with his family to Sacramento, California, as a teenager. He and his wife of 65 years, Arlene, raised 4 children and one grandson as their own. He and Arlene moved to Oroville in 2018 to be with family.

Kenneth retired from the railroad after 35 years of service. When young, he taught his kids to fish and drive cars. He was a good mechanic and often helped family and friends doing repairs in the family garage. He hunted with his father-in-law and brother-in-laws, and in later years enjoyed rock-hounding in the desert.

He leaves behind a legacy of eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.