Kenneth “Ken” Eugene Deibert, age 73, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Concrete on Saturday, May 19, 2012, after a courageous 2 ½ year battle with cancer. He was born June 13, 1938 on a farm in rural Sheridan Co. in Kansas to Margaret “Peggy” (Richards) and L.W. “Boe” Deibert.
Ken attended school in Hoxie, Kansas, began working before he was a teenager & later served in the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss, TX from 1957-1961 as a helicopter mechanic. Prior to moving to WA, Ken lived in KS, CO & CA working on various ranches. In 1973, Ken settled in Rockport as the manager of Glacier View Ranch and also enjoyed showing the cattle. After leaving the ranch, Ken’s work over the years included working for Copeland Lumber, Cascade Supply, B.A. Strickland Trucking & working for “Deibert Detailing” with his brother Terry doing shop fabrication for power plants & refineries. From 1990 to 2000, Ken worked for Skagit Co. Parks & Recreation as a Maintenance Tech and then Park Manager of Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport. From 2001 to 2009, Ken worked for Puget Sound Energy seasonally maintaining the Kulshan Campground at Baker Lake. Ken was a perfectionist and took great pride in everything he did.
Once-upon-a-time Ken was a rodeoin, calf ropin cowboy. Before moving to WA, Ken was a member of the Sheriff Possee as a search & rescue volunteer. Locally he has been President of the Western WA Angus Assoc., Concrete Saddle Club and served as a Fire Commissioner for Fire District 19. Ken was also a member of Eagles Aerie 1444 & The American Legion in Concrete.
Ken’s greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. He was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, son, brother & uncle. He will be forever in our hearts and memories and was known to all for his smile and kindness. In addition, he loved spending time in his shop doing his woodworking. “Scrollsaw by Ken” could be found at the local craft shows and the Concrete Saturday Market.
Ken is survived by his wife of 30 years, Helga Deibert at the family home; daughter, Tina (Ben) Clark, of Mount Vernon, WA; sons, Rick (Linda) Deibert, of Overbrook, KS, and Trace (Sue) Deibert, of Benton City, WA; stepson, Harry (Carol) Hamilton, of Carlton, WA; mother, Margaret “Peggy” Allen; sisters, Barbara (Leon) Sample, and Sandra (Gary) Reitcheck, all of Hoxie, KS; brother, Terry (Cindy) Deibert, of Chanute, KS; grandchildren, Benny Clark Jr., Amanda (Jeffrey) Garland, Renelle (Chris) Aytes, Justin, Kayla and Miranda Deibert; step-grandchildren, Lonnie (Kendra) Morford, Brandon (Kim) Dawkins, Jenn Baugh Justine DeLeon & Summer (Brian) Morel; great grandchildren, Jasmyne & Jordan Garland and Joshua Aytes; step-great grandchildren, Lynn & Kwynn Morford; numerous nieces & nephews.
Ken was preceded in death by his father, L.W. “Boe” Deibert, son, Todd Deibert & sister, Nettie Richmeier.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Mathey, his staff and the staff at United General Hospital for all their care they gave Ken. Memorial Contributions may be made to North Puget Cancer Center, 2000 Hospital Drive, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the home of Tina & Ben Clark from 1:00-4:00 on Saturday, June 16, 2012. Interment will be held at the Forest Park Cemetery in Concrete at a later date.