On October 25, 2017 Kenneth H. Lode was welcomed into heaven and the arms of Jesus to receive his eternal rewards. Ken was born on April 14, 1942 to Harold and Thelma Lode. He was a loving and supportive son who spent countless weekends over the years helping them on their ranch. He took great pride in being named the trustee of the family estate which he fulfilled with the utmost honor and integrity. He did all this while maintaining a full time job in Helena. He worked for various engineering firms including Boeing Co., the State of Montana, H.D.R. and his favorite job Morrison and Maierle Engineering firm from which he retired after working for them 28 years.
Ken was a loving and thoughtful husband to Linda, his wife of 53 years. He was also a wonderful father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren. He was a gentle and tender hearted man who always put the best interests of his family ahead of his own interests.
He enjoyed camping, hunting, taking road trips and maintaining his yard and home. He loved the Lord and attended First Assembly of God Church in Helena serving as head usher until his health prevented it.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Thelma, father in law Johnny Rettke, sister June Adell, brother Ronald, two great-nieces Kezia Decker and Allison Cass and a great nephew Brian Blaquiere.
Ken is survived by his loving wife, Linda; son, Jay (Theresa); daughter, Kenda (Bob); son Kyle; grandchildren: Daniel, Molly, Caleb, Emily, Jackson and Catalina; his special mother-in-law, Lucille Rettke; and his many friends. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Instead of charitable donations made in his behave Ken preferred that everyone cherish and hold close their loved ones, treating them with respect and dignity, for you don’t know what tomorrow may bring.
A small private celebration of Ken’s life will be held in the near future. Please visit visit to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Ken.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Share
John & Cherie Dahl says
Linda, Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family on the loss of Ken. Several memories from several years ago! ?
Donna Coman says
Linda & family,
I was saddened to read about Ken’s passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your loss. Your faith, family & friends are there to help & support you.
Donna Coman
JIM OCONNOR says
Sorry to hear about Ken’s passing. Our prayers will be with you
Corky & Judy says
Linda & Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time and if we can help in anyway, please let us know. So sorry to hear about your loss.
Corky & Judy Harris
Jean O'Connor and family says
Ken was a sweet and warm man. He will be missed.
Valerie, your former Birch St. neighbor says
Linda and family,
With deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved husband, father and grandpa. We now live in Florida, but wanted to let you know that your family is in my thoughts and Bob and I send our sympathy.
May your faith, family and friends help you at this difficult time. Cherish all your memories until you are reunited someday with all those who have gone before.
God bless.
John 3:16
Jeanne says
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I have great memories of your family , while growing up on Birch street. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jeanne Visser Tiddy
Sandra Whitney says
Linda and kids, God go with you. We love you, Jay and Sandra
Pastor Ken & Pat Johnston Ross says
Dear Linda, Kenda, Bob and other family members,
We are so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. Losing a loved one is way difficult but knowing they have gone to be with the Lied helps ease the pain. Blessings,
Pastor Ken & Pat Johnston Ross says
…be with the Lord…
Autocorrect is a pain.
Marci Lynn says
Linda, Jay and Family,
Please accept our sincere condolences for Ken’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Marci & Steve Lynn
Brad & Teri Peterson says
Dear Linda and Family,
Teri and I are sorry to hear about Ken’s passing. He is a great friend and was always great to work with. We had some good times (and worked many long hours) on many highway design projects — throughout the State of Montana and a few other places. We all knew we could depend on Ken, not only to get the job done, but to be a bright, cheerful, friendly part of our day. We all learned and grew a lot together during those years – I’m still impressed with the way Ken converted from using on an old drafting table, with ink pens and T-squares, to working entirely by computer and becoming adept at CADD and other sophisticated design tools.
It is our testimony that your parting will be but a for short time and you can look forward to being together again for the eternities. You are in our prayers.
Love, Brad & Teri
Sharon Holmquist Peterson says
Dear Linda, Jay, Theresa and Family, My sincere condolences in the loss of Ken, your husband and father. It is so hard to lose a parent. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. God bless and comfort you.
Love, Sharon Holmquist Peterson
Kenda (Lode) Biegler says
P.S. 1942 The most amazing thing that happened on April 14th was that my Dad was born!
I love you Dad!
Theresa Lode says
Thinking of you….wish I could have been there with Jay during his visit. One of my happiest memories of Ken is how he would always fish a dollar out of his pocket for the kids when we would leave from a visit. Warms my heart just thinking of that…
Sending you, Kyle and Kenda lots of love,
Theresa
Linda Lode says
Many thanks to everyone for your thoughts and memories. They are very comforting at this time. Ken would be so pleased to read them and would appreciate you all for sending us this comfort. Sincerely, Linda and family
Kyle Lode says
MY DAD
Watching Seinfeld with Dad
-Dances with Wolves
-Band of Brothers
-Jimmy Kimel and Giermo
-and Football of course
Chicken at the Suds Hut
The Brewhouse
Stopping by Morrison and Maierle to say Hi
Dad stopping by the shop to hang out
Hunting camp on Mount High
Hiking John’s Hill in the morning,
the sun just coming up,
pink light on the Crazy Mountains
Dad teaching me to hunt and track
Fresh elk track with Dad,
so close we could smell them ahead of us,
a breath
Hearing a shot across the canyon,
a pause
Hiking to Blue Lake
crossing a snowfield on the way down,
picking raspberries
Camping at Halfmoon
The smell of the old tent
Thunder Rapid Falls
Kading Campground
Hiking to Blackfoot Meadows
Dad cutting down a lodge pole for firewood with the old Mcculloch chainsaw
Taking the canoe out on Park Lake
Flyfishing with Dad
A strike,
setting the hook,
bringing him in
Learning how to work on cars,
and learning some new words in the process!
Stacking hay with the old tractor
The scent in your nose
Branding time,
catching a calf,
Dad sets the brand,
burnt hair in your nose
The Hunters Feed Diner
Dad and Mom dancing to the music of Bud Lode and band,
laughing as we try to do the Butterfly Waltz
Sleepy eyes and coffee at the ranch table before the hunt
Listening to Dad laugh playing pinochle,
when I’m supposed to be sleeping,
the light and shadows under the door,
everyone visiting
Catching up to a Bull,
Dad whispers “you take the first shot”
My Best Friend
My Dad
Jay, Kenda, & Kyle
Kyle Lode says
—YOU TAKE THE FIRST SHOT—
–
May the tracking snow always be fresh
–
May the Bulls always be broadside
–
May the wind always be fair
–
You take the west side,
…I’ll take the east,
……I’ll meet you at the top of Long Coulee
–
I’ll just ease along, and take my time
–
It might be a while, But I’ll be there
–
This time you take the first shot Dad,
…You’ve earned it.
Your Children,
Jay, Kenda, & Kyle Lode
Jay, Kenda, &Kyle Lode says
I would like to dedicate this song to my Dad,
—YOU SHOULD BE HERE—
By Cole Swindell
It’s perfect outside its like god let me dial up the weather
Got the whole crew here, I ain’t seen some of them in forever
It’s one of those never forget it, better stop and take it in kinda scenes
Everything’s just right yeah except for one thing
You should be here, standing with your arm around me here
Cutting up, cracking a cold beer
Saying cheers, hey y’all it’s sure been a good year
It’s one of those moments, that’s got your name written all over it
And you know that if I had just one wish it’d
Be that you didn’t have to miss this
You should be here
You’d be taking way too many pictures on your phone
Showing them off to everybody that you know back home
And even some you don’t yeah
They say now you’re in a better place
And I would be too if I could see your face
You should be here, standing with your arm around me here
Cutting up, cracking a cold beer
Saying cheers, hey y’all it’s sure been a good year
It’s one of those moments, that’s got your name written all over it
And you know that if I had just one wish
It’d be that you didn’t have to miss this
Aw you should be here
You’d be loving this, you’d be freaking out, you’d be smiling, yeah
I know you’d be all about what’s going on right here right now
God I wish somehow you could be here
Oh you should be here
Yeah this is one of those moments that’s got your name written all over it
And you know that if I have just one wish it’d be that you didn’t have to miss this
Aw you should be here
You should be here
Songwriters: Cole Swindell / Ashley Gorley
Lynn Davis says
Linda and family. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to all of you. Please know you’re being remembered fondly.
Judy Murphy says
I thank GOD for you Ken. You were a special brother -in-law. You cherished my sister, loved your family and loved your extended family. You were quiet and reserved and always a gentleman. I love you.
Kyle Lode says
Dad was very kind hearted and respectful, he was not the kind that had to always be the center of attention, he got more enjoyment out of giving, not taking. Instead of getting something for himself, he made sure his family had what they needed first.
It makes me think of a Keith Urban song called “Song For Dad”
here are the lyrics:
************************
Song for Dad
by Keith Urban
Lately I’ve been noticing
I say the same things he used to say
And I even find myself acting the very same way
I tap my fingers on the table
To the rhythm in my soul
And I jingle the car keys
When I’m ready to go
When I look in the mirror
He’s right there in my eyes
Starin’ back at me and I realize
The older I get
The more I can see
How much he loved my mother and my brother(and sister) and me
And he did the best that he could
And I only hope when I have my own family
That everyday I see
A little more of my father in me
There were times I thought he was bein’
Just a little bit hard on me
But now I understand he was makin’ me
Become the man he knew that I could be
In everything he ever did
He always did with love
And I’m proud today to say I’m his son
When somebody says I hope I get to meet your dad
I just smile and say you already have
The older I get
The more I can see
How much he loved my mother and my brother(and sister) and me
And he did the best that he could
And I only hope when I have my own family
That everyday I see
A little more of my father in me
He’s in my eyes
My heart, my soul
My hands, my pride
And when I feel alone
And I think I can’t go on
I hear him sayin’ “Son you’ll be alright”
Everything’s gonna be alright”
Yes it is
The older I get
The more I can see
That he loved my mother and my brother(and sister) and me
And he did the best that he could
And I only hope when I have my own family
That everyday I see
Oh I hope I see
I hope everyday I see
A little more of my father in me
I hope everyday I see in me
In me
I hope everyday I see
A little more of my father in me
Take care Dad
I love you
Kyle
Kyle Lode says
“The wicked seek to slay the righteous, but the Lord will not leave him in his hand-nor condemn him when he is judged.” (Psalm 37:32)
“Blessed in His sight is the death of His Godly ones, their works follow after them.” (Psalm 116:15)
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
― Theodore Roosevelt
Amazing events on April 14th:
1944 General Eisenhower becomes the Supreme Allied commander of Allied Expeditionary force
1945 WWII US 7th Army & allies capture Nuremberg & Stuttgart in Germany
1945 US forces conqured Motobu peninsula on Okinawa
1969 1st major league baseball outside US played (Montreal Canada)
1981 1st Space shuttle Columbia returned to earth
1986 US air craft attacks 5 terrorist locations in Libya
April 14th 1942 My Dad was born!