Kenneth Ralph Kressler

Kenneth Ralph Kressler, "Grandad", 82, of Fort Collins, Colorado, died peacefully in his sleep on June 16, 2010 at Centre Avenue Health & Rehab Facility. Ken was born in Quakertown, Pennsylvania on November 30, 1927; the youngest son of Herbert S. Kressler and Meda Balliet Kressler. He grew up in Applebachsville, PA, in a family that consisted of 4 boys and 3 girls. His family had a custom butcher shop and was famous in the area for specialty prepared meats and cold cuts. Ken enjoyed accompanying his dad on buying trips, but he didn't have a lot of time to spend with his father, because Herbert died of an infection when Ken was only 11 years old. As a teen, Ken went deep sea fishing with his brothers and developed a lifelong love of hunting, fishing, camping, and the great outdoors. Music was also a big part of his life. All his family were talented musicians and they enjoyed singing and playing in local churches. His love of woodworking was also developed at an early age when he studied with Clair Hershey, a family friend. When World War II broke out, Ken was still in high school; but after graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served during the occupation of Germany in 1947. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Pennsylvania and married his home-town sweetheart Helen Unangst. The couple welcomed 5 daughters into the world: Karen Lee, Vicki Lynn, Debbie Lou, Cindy Lynnette, and Cathy Leanne. Ken and Helen set up their own meat business, selling their products every weekend at the Allentown market. In 1956, Ken felt a call to the ministry, so he sold his meat business and packed up the family for 4 years of Bible College at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. After graduation and ordination in 1960, he took a church in Aspen, Colorado, and the family moved west in October of that year. After two years at the pastorate, the family moved to Denver for a year and then to the Windsor area, where Ken started a church that met in a rented house. Later, Ken entered the construction trades in the Weld County area, becoming famous for custom remodeling. He was especially good at working with the quirks of older farmhouses. After he retired, he spent much of his time in the mountains and at the lakes, hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends. The family will remember Grandad Kressler as a man with a deep love for God and the great outdoors. His beautiful tenor voice and his many talents and skills will be greatly missed, as will his humor and the ability to see a bright side even in the darkest times. He crafted many beautiful pieces of furniture that his family will cherish for generations. Ken was a member of Gateway Baptist Church in Loveland, Colorado and much of his woodworking skills can be seen throughout the church. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen, 2 brothers, and 2 sisters; also by a daughter, Vicki Lynn Brent; and a grandson Aaron B. Brent. He is survived by his daughters Karen Dwayne Ledbetter and Cindy Greg Whitehead of Fort Collins, Colorado; Deb Alan Brunkow of Western, Nebraska; and Cathy Tony Benson of Entrican, Michigan. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Viewing will be on Monday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. The Funeral Service will be at Bohlender Funeral Chapel on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Interment with Military Honors by the Fort Collins all Veteran Honor Guard at Roselawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to "The Alpha Center" in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.