Ken passed away on March 27, 2018, at the Wesley Rehab Center in Auburn. He was born on a farm near Pleasanton, NE on September 6, 1931 to Ruth and L. Milton Valentine. He moved to the Washington when he was 8 and lived most of his life in Auburn. He graduated from Auburn High School in 1949 and then went on to Western Washington College in Bellingham receiving his first BA in 1953. He served in the Naval Air Reserve and even got to serve as an honor guard at the Miss Universe Contest. A friend arranged a blind date for him on a reserve weekend in Seattle with Fern Wiese, a Western freshman home to Seattle for a weekend, in September, 1951. They dated for three years and married in June, 1954. They returned in Western in 1955 for Fern to complete her degree and for Ken to get a second BA. Ken worked for Boeing for 35 years in the Materiel Department.
Ken joined the Auburn Elks in 1954 and became active immediately serving as their Exalted Ruler in 1973-74. He then became active at the state and Grand Lodge. Serving as Grand Lodge District Deputy twice and then as State President in 1989-90. He was chairman of the Grand Lodge Certification Committee in 1990-91 and was WSEA Veterans chairman from 1992 to 2011.
Ken decided he wanted to improve his speaking skills and worked to become an Able Toastmaster in 1977.
He is survived by his wife Fern, his daughter Cathie McKinney (Bernie), David Valentine, Sheila Valentine (Mark) his daughter Julie’s husband Bob Clampett, his grandchildren Kacie McKinney Leacy (Ryan), Chris McKinney and Amanda O’Donnell, and his Brother James Harley Valentine (Carolyn). He is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Julie.
A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be on Sunday, April 29 at the Auburn Eagles from 2 to 4. Private interment will be at Mt. View Cemetery in Auburn.
A guest book is available at priceheltonfuneralhome.com/obituaries.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Washington State Elks Therapy Program, the Museum of Flight, the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.
