KENNETH W. GUNTER

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KENNETH W. GUNTER 1938 - 2006 It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband and father on Wednesday, December 13, 2006. Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Irene (Sweet); three children, son Steven, daughter Terri, both of Pine Falls, daughter Jacquelyn (Bill) of Great Falls; six grand-children and four great-grandchildren. Ken was predeceased by his parents, Anna Leigh and Walter Gunter; stepfather Gloyd Pickett; father-in-law Raymond Sweet; sister Ladene and her husband D. L. Whittington, all from his home state of Kansas in the United States. Ken was born to Anna Leigh and Walter on April 30, 1938 in Reading, Kansas. As a child, Ken was active in scouting and various school sports, winning the state championship in basketball and playing football at the College of Emporia. The College of Emporia is where he met his best friend and future wife Irene. In 1958, Ken and Irene were married. In the early years, Ken juggled a new job working for Didde-Glaser, starting a family and serving his country with the U.S. Army as a Reservist. In 1970, Ken became a leader with the Boy Scouts of America, travelling many places with his troop. One such trip was to Wallace Lake, MB. This trip inspired him to eventually move his family to Canada. After moving to Pine Falls, MB in 1974, Ken did a variety of jobs around the area. He drove a pulp truck, worked as the rink attendant for the Powerview Arena, owned and operated the Jayhawk Sporting Goods Ski Doo and Yamaha sales and service shop, ran the Scouts Canada campground at Big Whiteshell Lake, as well as volunteering as the local scout leader and finally becoming a First Responder for the Pine Falls Ambulance Service. Together with his wife Irene, they became the instructors and trainers for the service before upgrading to Paramedics. Ken was the manager and a paramedic for the ambulance service until his retirement in 1999. Retirement brought forth the free time to enjoy NFL football on Sunday and his newfound passions for woodworking and travelling. Ken will be sadly missed. His legacy will live on through the knowledge and experiences he had and his ability to pass them on to everyone he came into contact with. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 19 at 2:00 p.m. at the Pine Falls United Church, Pine Falls, MB. Interment will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation, 200 - 6 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. SOBERING FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM, Beausejour 268-3510 or MB toll free 1-877-776-2220

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 16, 2006