Kenneth Walter Urstad was born in Seattle, WA., on November 19, 1936, to Walter & Borgny (Twito) Urstad. He was the older brother to Ray and Marilyn (Beers). He attended Roosevelt High School and the University of Washington. He was employed by Frederick & Nelson and married Peggy Knapp in 1964. Ken & Peg had two children, Scott & Heidi. Ken went back to Green River Community College to obtain his degree in Forestry. He joined the Department of Natural Resources in 1974. Ken and his family settled in Anacortes, WA, where he worked for the DNR until retirement in 2002.
Ken loved his career as a forester and doing marine land management. He was always the first to volunteer for every forest fire during his career. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and fisherman. He coached his children in soccer and was a boy scout leader through his son’s scouting career.
Ken was an incredible servant leader his entire life, but in particular, after his retirement to Greenbank. He oversaw the Woodcutters Ministry, was named the Jan Holmes Coastal Volunteer of the Year in 2015, which included over 3,000 volunteer hours with Beach Watchers. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland and was an incredible neighbor to everyone on North Bluff.
After suffering strokes four months ago and over Thanksgiving, Ken was surrounded by his wife, children, friends and family at home in Greenbank until he passed peacefully on December 9, 2019. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Borgny (Twito), and is survived by his brother Ray Urstad, sister Marilyn (Norm Beers), loving wife Peg (Knapp), son Scott (Becky Nagy), daughter Heidi (Jay Supple), grandchildren Eric (Anna), Kelcie, Sydney, Jay Jr. & Kari, and countless friends.
A memorial service and celebration of a life well-lived will be held on Saturday, January 25th, 2020. The service will be at 1 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 18341 WA-525, Freeland, WA 98249.
Arrangements have been made with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service.
I've finished life's chores assigned to me,
So, put me on a boat headed out to sea.
Please send along my fishing pole
For I've been invited to the fishin' hole.
Where every day is a day to fish,
To fill your heart with every wish.
Don't worry, or feel sad for me,
I'm fishin' with the Master of the sea.
We will miss each other for a while,
But you will come and bring your smile.
That won't be long you will see,
Till we're together you and me.
To all of those that think of me,
Be happy as I go out to sea.
If others wonder, why I'm missin'
Just tell 'em I've gone fishin'
Delmar Pepper
In honor of Ken's volunteerism in lieu of flowers please consider donating to Sound Waters in Ken's name. https://soundwaterstewards.org/web/donate/