Kenneth Leon (Ken) Quickenden, ago 80 of Helena, died at Edgewood Senior Living in Helena, MT on May 6, 2019, following decline and complications due to Alzheimer’s Disease.
Ken was born on March 22, 1939 in Lewistown, MT to Charles T. and Vlusta (Peggy) Quickenden. The family later moved to Great Falls, where Ken attended school, graduating from Great Falls High School in 1957. He then went on to Montana State University in Bozeman, graduating in 1961 with a BS degree in Zoology. He then returned to MSU for 2 more quarters, earning another BS degree in entomology (1962). While at MSU, Ken was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, Phi Sigma (Biological honorary), and ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps).
Ken served on active duty in the US Army Medical Service Corps as a preventive medicine officer for two years at Ft. Stewart, GA, Ft. Bragg, NC and Ft. Sam Houston, TX. Later on he served in the US Army Reserves, being honorably discharged as a Captain in July 1969.
Ken was awarded a fellowship from the National Science Foundation to pursue a Ph.D. in insect physiology and biochemistry from Montana State University, earning a doctorate degree in 1969. He then held a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada for two years.
His professional career with the State of Montana began with his employment with the Montana Department of Health and Environmental Science in 1971 as a medical entomologist/vector control specialist. He retired after 30 + years. While there, he wrote numerous articles and publications, established mosquito control districts around the state, and served as a resource on diseases caused by insects. He was a member of The American Mosquito Control Association, The Entomological Society of America, and The Montana Environmental Health Association.
He married Sandra Pohlod on December 26, 1965. They were blessed with two daughters, Christine and Carolyn and years later three grandchildren.
Ken was an avid outdoorsman. He loved Montana with its ample recreational opportunities and quality of life. He was a successful hunter and fisherman. Later on, he enjoyed wildlife photography, camping in the trailer and boating. He also enjoyed reading Montana history, the game of golf, and working with ‘& training Labrador retrievers.
His past memberships included Bill Roberts Golf Course, The National Rifle Association, The Wild Turkey Federation, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, and Pheasants Forever.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Sandy, daughters, Christine (Joe) Washington of Alexandria, VA and Carolyn (Bryce) Schneider of Golden, CO; three grandchildren, Stella and Sophie Schneider and Alex Washington; brother, Mike (D’ Ann) Quickenden of Rock Springs, WY and sister, Sandee (Mac) Main of Park Ridge, IL.
The family would like to thank the extraordinary staff at Edgewood and Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care for their kind and compassionate care.
A Memorial Service and celebration of Ken’s life will be at 11:00 a.m on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., in Helena with a reception to immediately follow in the social hall of the funeral home. Burial will be at the Montana Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison with full Military Honors. Memorials in Ken’s name are suggested to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59601 or Compassus Hospice, 1075 North Rodney St. Helena, MT 59601. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Ken. Thank you.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11: 00 a.m.
Tuesday June 18, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Tuesday June 18, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Tuesday June 18, 2019
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11: 00 a.m.
Tuesday June 18, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Tuesday June 18, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Tuesday June 18, 2019
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Ty Quickenden says
May you rest in peace Uncle Ken. Love you and wish you the best flight path among the Angel above. Your enthusiasm for life and all the kindness you showed to your family will be and already is greatly missed.
Fly High Uncle Ken,
Ty Quickenden
Edie Witham says
Sandy,
I’m so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. My prayers are with you and your family.
Beth Cottingham says
To Ken’s family: I worked with Ken at the Dept of Health & Human Services. I worked for the Communicable Disease Bureau. He was invaluable and so knowledgeable. He was instrumental in a pneumonic plague diagnosis which saved the lives of two people! He was excellent at educating people about plague in Montana. He was always so kind and willing to explain what he knew in laymen’s terms! He was a true asset to public health and helped many local public health nurses and sanitarians. They broke the mold when they made him and so many of us were fortunate to have been able to work with him. May God bless you. Beth Cottingham
Ken Price says
I was sorry to hear of the passing of Ken. I know how much it hurts to lose a loved one. Ken did many good things in his life and I know you are all very proud of that. His family is a testament to that. To all of you, our sympathy goes out. Ken and Brenda Price
Stacey Williams says
God bless you, Sandy. We send you Texas sized love from Dallas. You are in our hearts and in our prayers. We are blessed to have had Ken in the world as a great contributor, husband and father…and he brought us our dear Carolyn! Love you. Stacey Williams
Judy Griffith says
To Sandy and your family: Although I did not know Ken personally, it seems he was a fine man who gave so much to your family, the community and beyond. I wish you comfort and peace at this painful, difficult time of loss.
Judy Griffith
Carol Jacobsen says
Dear Sandy…..So sorry for the loss of your husband. I did not know him personally, but reading his obit, I can see what a fine man he was. I know the recent years have been difficult, but no matter what the circumstances, the loss is huge. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and in my heart.
Carol Jacobsen