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.
8 Comments To "Kenneth “Ken” Eugene Deibert"
#1 Comment By Dana Sample On 05/25/2012 @ 2:20 pm
A great man…will be sadly missed by all. But his love will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Hard to see him go, but take comfort that he is one of the new angels in Heaven watching over all of us. He is no longer suffering. Probably teaching them all how to rodeo up there!! Hugs and prayers to all of the family he leaves behind.
#2 Comment By Benny Clark Jr. On 05/25/2012 @ 9:01 pm
Grandpa was one of the best men you could ever meet, I love him more then anything and he will be greatly missed but never forgotten, hes a true cowboy and rode away in a perfect sunset 🙂 R.I.P. Granps, I love ya and will see you again someday.
#3 Comment By Sis On 05/25/2012 @ 10:23 pm
Dad: I will miss you more than anything. You were a #1 dad and my hero! I learned so many things over the years from you. We had so many good times together and you will always be in my heart and memories! You are the strongest person I know and would put a smile on the face of anyone you talked to. I LOVE YOU!
#4 Comment By John and Mickey Zitkovich On 05/28/2012 @ 8:57 am
Tina,
So sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. He was a special person and we really enjoyed having him in our lives. Praying for healing and comfort for you and your family during this time.
Love to you and yours,
Mickey and John
#5 Comment By Lynda Stout On 05/29/2012 @ 7:52 pm
Tina, Ben & Family:
Your dad was such a GREAT man. I have so many memories I will cherish the rest of my life–one of them from those “rocky mountain oysters” he tricked me into eating!! He’s probably up there tricking some other unsuspecting soul into eating those things!!! Your dad will be so very missed, but I know he is in a much better place now. Our sympathies to you and your entire family. We love you!
Steve & Lynda Stout
#6 Comment By Dale & Cindy Rufenacht On 05/30/2012 @ 6:32 pm
Terry- Sorry to learn about the passing of your brother Ken.
#7 Comment By Tom & Betty Benton On 06/11/2012 @ 11:50 am
Ken held cowboy integrity to a high standard I feel privileged to have had him as my friend.
My heartfelt condolences to Ken’s family.
#8 Comment By Dorene Royal Kartes On 06/21/2012 @ 4:50 pm
Jer and I are so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. We wish we could have been in WA This last year to talk about the old days with him. What a guy and what memories!! God now has a great guy and a great story teller! Our condolences to our beloved Tina and Trace big hugs to both. We love you.