Kenneth Schaunaman

Kenneth E. Schaunaman, age 90, of Browns Valley, MN, died on October 27, 2018, at the Browns Valley Care Center.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at 10:30AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Browns Valley. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 2, from 5 to 7PM at the Mundwiler & Larson Funeral Home in Browns Valley with a prayer service starting at 7PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church. Pastor Larry Johnson will officiate and interment will be in the Valley View Cemetery.

Kenneth Edward Schaunaman was born on August 20, 1928, to Walter and Mathilda (Oletzke) Schaunaman at Holy Trinity Hospital in Graceville, MN. He was baptized in Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Sisseton and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the church in New Effington, SD.

When Ken was just seven years old, his mother passed away suddenly. The family continued to live on the farm near New Effington where Ken attended rural school. A few years later, they moved into town where Ken attended school until the middle of his second year when he went to live with his uncle and aunt, Melvin and Florence Fossen, and they gave him a wonderful home.

On September 24, 1950, Ken married Darlene Lehrke at Windom Trinity Lutheran Church. The couple continued to live on the Fossen farm until February of 1951, when Ken was drafted into the Army. He took basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, and was later sent overseas. It was the day that he boarded the ship for overseas duty that his son, Paul, was born. Ken didn’t get to see him until a year and a half later when he was honorably discharged.

The family later moved to Browns Valley and Ken worked for the Interlake Co-Op Creamery. A year later, they moved to the Harry Oletzke farm in Grant Township, SD, where Ken farmed with his uncle, Harry for 26 years. During this time, Ken and Darlene purchased the Melvin Fossen farm following Mel’s death. They moved there in 1971 and lived there for eight years until they decided to build a new home in Browns Valley. Ken and Darlene’s son, Mark, and his wife, Claudia, moved onto the farm.

Ken was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, where he served as Chairman for many years and also served as an Elder, Trustee, and Treasurer. He was a life member of the VFW in Sisseton and was also an active member of the Wm Krensing American Legion Post #58. He served as their Commander for three terms and Chaplain for many years. He was President and Sexton of the Valley View Cemetery for over 15 years. He was a member of the USFA (United States Forces Austria) and was privileged to attend many reunions and two return trips to Austria for their Grande Celebration. He was a member of the board that was instrumental in reopening the Browns Valley Community Elevator. For over 22 years, Ken worked for the Larson Funeral Home as a funeral assistant.

Ken was proud to be a farmer and took pride in his machinery and his work.

In June of 2017, because of his failing health, Ken took up residence in the Browns Valley Health Center, where he resided until his death on October 27th.

Ken is survived by his wife of 68 years, Darlene of Browns Valley; two sons: Paul (Donni) Schaunaman of Sisseton, SD and Mark (Claudia) Schaunaman of Browns Valley; four grandchildren: Jackie (Nigel) Clemonds of Eden Prairie, MN, Jacob (Stephanie) Schaunaman of Browns Valley, MN, Travis (Sara) Schaunaman of Browns Valley, MN, and Devin (Travis) Anderson of Brookings, SD; one step-grandson, Jeremy Foren of Strasburg, VA; five great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents; sisters: Marcella (Milton) Johnson and Helen (Morris) Dehnert; brother, Donald “Bud” (Arlet) Schaunaman; daughter-in-law, Kathleen; one grandson, Daniel; and step-mother, Annie.