Kenneth Waldner

Ken was born in Rawlins, WY on 12/23/1964 to Verne and Emma. He was the third of four children. He was a fun-loving and caring child. He lived in Rawlins until he was 5, when in 1970, the family moved to Wamsutter. In 1973, a spark was ignited in Ken, when his Dad founded Wamsutter Conoco Service, Inc. Ken worked almost every day at the station after school. One day the Bairoil Basketball coach stopped in the Conoco before a Wamsutter vs Bairoil Basketball game and saw Ken changing the oil on a school bus. The Coach asked Ken, "Are you not playing tonight?" Wishful thinking on the coach's part, Ken's response was, "No, I'll be there" and he lead his team to victory. At a young age, he worked hard, played hard and lived life to the absolute fullest. In 1994, Ken and Gregg took over the reins of the Conoco and grew it from a mom-and-pop gas station to large a scale convenience store, mechanic shop, and towing and recovery service station. Ken attended Northwest Community College in Powell, WY from 1983 to 1986, then he graduated with a Degree in Welding Engineering from Arizona State University in Phoenix, AZ in 1989. Ken's only son was born on April 4, 1992, Thomas Van Smith. Ken was very proud of Thomas who is attending the University of Wyoming in pursuit of a Petroleum Engineering degree. Ken served the community of Wamsutter by serving on Town Council and as Mayor for more than 10 years. He was instrumental in getting the Grocery Store, Medical Center and Day Care up and running. On September 14, 2000 he married his soulmate, Hope Jeanneret. Hope and Ken have traveled and enjoyed photographing wildlife, arrowhead hunting, camping, fishing and hunting. In 2010, Ken won a prize from the National Park Service for photographing a wild horse mother and colt with the backdrop of the Red Dessert. The prize was a trip to any National Park in the United States. He and Hope visited Arcadia National Park in Bar Harbor, ME. In 2008 Ken was award the NAPA ASE Master Automotive Technician of the Year for the Rocky Mountain Region. Ken was always generous to those in need, at our recent Staff Christmas party, he gave everyone a $100 bill and instructed, " Give this to someone less fortunate then you." When asked recently "What is left on your bucket list?" his reply was simply, "I don't have anything else left to do." Ken was a great brother to all, as we are all brothers in Christ. Ken was a spectacular business man. He was caring and loving. A husband, father, friend, and mentor to everyone he met. On December 7, 2011 Ken was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. At no point did he give up the fight, but on December 16, 2012 our Lord decided he had fought long and hard enough and it was time for him to come home and finally feel no more pain. He was loved by many and he will be missed and mourned greatly. Ken was preceded in death by; Grandparents Russell E. DeLambert, Irene DeLambert, Jake Waldner, Anna Waldner; Uncle Marvin Waldner; and cousins Jamie and Barbara Valdez. Ken is survived by his wife Hope, and his son, Thomas Smith, and many family and friends. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 22, 2012, 1:00 p.m at Desert School, Wamsutter, Wyoming. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choice or Poudre Valley Hospital Foundation c/o Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524.

Tributes

Kenneth Waldner

December 23, 2012 - December 16, 2012