October 16, 1939 – October 10, 2022
Kenneth Dwayne “Ken” Klein, 82, formerly of Firesteel, passed away unexpectedly October 10, 2022, in Billings, MT, after a brief illness. In spite of chronic heart issues, he lived a long and full life right to the end.
Ken was born on October 16, 1939, in Mobridge, to Ted and Tillie Klein. Upon graduation from Timber Lake High School in 1957, he joined the Marines. After his military service, he went on to receive both a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Science in Education from Black Hills State University in Spearfish.
He served his country for two years in the United States Marine Corps in the late 1950s. After returning to base in Okinawa while being AWOL, Ken was required to appear before the new colonel. When the colonel realized both he and Ken were from South Dakota, Ken’s “punishment” was to be the colonel’s driver and be on call to drive the colonel’s jeep. This “punishment” became Ken’s full-time job and resulted in a special bond between the two.
Ken married his wife Barbara in Deadwood. In September 2022 they celebrated 60 years of marriage.
Ken called many places home. He grew up in the small farming community of Firesteel, where he enjoyed roaming the shortgrass prairie. As a boy he had several pets, wild and domestic, including a horse he broke with his father. He began his teaching career in Whitewood, and started his family in Spearfish. In 1970, Ken and his family relocated to Southeast Alaska where he taught in rural schools. Over the years he taught grades 4-12, was an elementary school principal, taught in a two-room schoolhouse, taught both his children, and served as an officer in the teachers’ association. After retiring from teaching, he built Hemlock House with his son Perry on homestead land in Thorne Bay, AK. For several years Ken captained a live aboard fishing charter boat out of Ketchikan, AK, with Perry serving as deckhand and Barbara as cook. Ken loved boating and had the joy of piloting several boats from Seattle, WA, to southeast Alaska. After leaving Alaska, Ken spent time in Arizona and Nevada before settling in Billings to spend more time hunting upland birds with his brother-in-law, Dave Johnson. This move resulted in many new adventures and several dear friends.
Ken was an avid fisherman, hunter, boater, trapper, camper, river rafter, ATV rider, gardener, and lover of any other experience that got him outdoors. Friends will remember him through these adventures, as he generously hosted many on his boats, the Bigenuff and the Bigenuff II, and in his homes.
Ken is survived by his wife Barbara; mother Tillie; daughter Kris (Lance) and son Perry (partner Alisha); granddaughter Chasina (mother Gail); four “granddogs”; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many friends who will miss him dearly. He is preceded in death by his father Ted and sister Sandy.
(The family’s address is 1215 Parkview Dr., Billings, MT 59102)