Kenneth (Ken) Hunzelman 89, of Fort Collins, CO passed away Friday, January 31, 2025, peacefully at home. Ken was born on March 22, 1935, in State Center, Iowa to Oliver and Dorothy Hunzelman.
His family moved to Fort Collins at a young age, where he lived the rest of his life until he went to our Father's home in heaven. Ken attended Fort Collins High School. He joined the Navy at age 17 and served from 1952-1960. He spent much of his Naval career traveling, getting to see the world. He loved talking about places he had been. He also finished high school and received his GED while in the Navy. He also did an online college at Statford Career Institute Private Investigation in his adult life.
When he got out of the Navy, he went home to work but decided to join the Army on July 28, 1961. He served in the Army until 1964. After he got out of the Army he joined the Army Reserves in Seattle, WA from 1975-1979 and finished in Fort Collins. He was honorably discharged from all three ranks and presented with multiple medals.
He had a lot of jobs in his life besides the military. He worked for Boeing Aircraft as a machinist as well as Martin Marietta in Denver, CO, he drove big rig trucks for Werner, his last job was being a security guard for 20 plus years before he had to retire due to multiple illnesses.
He came to live with his daughter Rene' until his passing.
Kenneth met Barbara Harvey and asked her to marry him before he left for his duties in Fort Riley, Kansas. They were married on January 3, 1962, then had two daughters.
Ken loved fishing (fly fishing usually), hunting and camping. Later in his life he found other hobbies including painting pictures, putting puzzles together, building models like cars, trucks, warships, planes and many more. His new hobby was working with leather. He enjoyed just making things.
Ken is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Barbara Hunzelman. He is survived by his daughters Rene' (Robert) Dillon of Fort Collins and Debra (James) Marquardt of Johnstown, CO; brother Dwaine Hunzelman of Longview, WA; and cousins, nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO on April 30, 2025, at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association and Tunnel To Towers Foundation in Honor of Kenneth D. Hunzelman.