Kenneth Aldon Hoefner, 86, passed away on February 2, 2021 at his home in Cheney, WA, due to cancer. He was born to Arthur F. Hoefner and Ethel H. (Wetenkamp) Hoefner on September 27, 1934 in Libby, MT.
Ken grew up and attended school in Libby. Growing up, Ken delivered papers for the Spokesman Review. In high school, he worked at the theater and at Smart’s Mobil station. He married his high school sweetheart, Carol A. Menehan, in 1952 after graduating from Libby High School.
Ken and Carol settled in Libby and started their family. They welcomed their daughter Katherine in 1953, son Dean in 1955, and daughter Karen in 1959. The family remained in Libby until Ken joined the Montana Highway Patrol in 1958. Ken’s job took the family to many stops (East Glacier, Missoula, and Cut Bank) in Montana, finally moving to Billings in 1971, where he remained until early 2020.
Ken retired, as a Captain, in 1990 after 32 years of service to the Montana Highway Patrol. Dad was very proud of and loved his work. Ken and Carol enjoyed their retirement, filling their time with travel, taking in National Parks, summer camping trips, and visits with family.
Dad was an avid woodworker, loved to tool leather, and spent a great deal of time researching family genealogy. He was a proud Benefactor member of the NRA, he served in the Army Reserve/Guard and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Ken and Carol were also members of Peace Lutheran Church in Billings.
Ken & Carol moved to Cheney, WA last year, to be near their children. He was preceeded in death by his wife of 68 years, Carol. The family would like to thank the staff of Deaconess Hospital and Hospice of Spokane for their wonderful care of Ken over the last several weeks.
Ken is survived by daughter Katherine Hoefner of Airway Heights, WA; son Dean (Kim) of Spokane, WA, and daughter Karen (Gene) Bell of Maple Valley, WA; 5 grandchildren Deidre (Steve) Schilling, Erica (Kirk) Ryan, Bridget Hoefner, Colin Bell, Connor Bell and 5 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 1:00 pm on February 11, 2021 at Schnackenberg Funeral Home (422 West 2nd Street, Libby MT) with burial to follow at the City of Libby Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Montana HOPE Project (www.montanahope.org) or Hospice of Spokane (www.hospiceofspokane.org). Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenberfh.com.
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