G Kenneth (Ken) Fossum, 90, a lifelong resident of Superior, died Saturday, Feb 13, 2010, at St Mary's Medical Center Hospice, Duluth. He was born March 4, 1919, in Superior, son of Gilbert and Clara (Heiberg) Fossum. Ken graduated from Superior East High School in 1937. He worked as National Park Service Office Manager between 1938 and 1941 in the CCC camp developing Pattison Park.
In 1941, he was joined in marriage to Maye Basterash, his beloved wife of 45 years. In the same year, he was employed as Office Clerk and Weighmaster at Berwind Coal Dock and Briquette Plant in Superior.
He entered the US Army and served in the European Theatre from 1943 to 1945. After WWII, Ken returned to Berwind Fuel Co, becoming assistant superintendent of the dock and briquet plant and later superintendent until its closing in 1965. He worked as office manager for Zinsmaster Baking Co, until 1978 when he became the Douglas County Emergency Services Coordinator until his retirement in December 1985.
Ken participated in fundraising for the new Superior Senior Center, as well as participating in the center's Kazoo Band. He attended Faith United Methodist Church as well as the former Trinity United Methodist Church, serving as a choir member for many years.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Clara and Gilbert; wife, Maye (1986); sister, Clarice Erkkila; brother-in-law, Rudolph Erkkila; and special friend, Gail O'Keefe (2003).
Survivors include his son, Maynard, Chicago; and many brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews across the country.
Private committal will take place at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery, Superior.
(Superior Evening Telegram)
In 1941, he was joined in marriage to Maye Basterash, his beloved wife of 45 years. In the same year, he was employed as Office Clerk and Weighmaster at Berwind Coal Dock and Briquette Plant in Superior.
He entered the US Army and served in the European Theatre from 1943 to 1945. After WWII, Ken returned to Berwind Fuel Co, becoming assistant superintendent of the dock and briquet plant and later superintendent until its closing in 1965. He worked as office manager for Zinsmaster Baking Co, until 1978 when he became the Douglas County Emergency Services Coordinator until his retirement in December 1985.
Ken participated in fundraising for the new Superior Senior Center, as well as participating in the center's Kazoo Band. He attended Faith United Methodist Church as well as the former Trinity United Methodist Church, serving as a choir member for many years.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Clara and Gilbert; wife, Maye (1986); sister, Clarice Erkkila; brother-in-law, Rudolph Erkkila; and special friend, Gail O'Keefe (2003).
Survivors include his son, Maynard, Chicago; and many brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews across the country.
Private committal will take place at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery, Superior.
(Superior Evening Telegram)
G Kenneth (Ken) Fossum, 90, a lifelong resident of Superior, died Saturday, Feb 13, 2010, at St Mary's Medical Center Hospice, Duluth. He was born March 4, 1919, in Superior, son of Gilbert and Clara (Heiberg) Fossum. Ken graduated from Superior East High School in 1937. He worked as National Park Service Office Manager between 1938 and 1941 in the CCC camp developing Pattison Park.
In 1941, he was joined in marriage to Maye Basterash, his beloved wife of 45 years. In the same year, he was employed as Office Clerk and Weighmaster at Berwind Coal Dock and Briquette Plant in Superior.
He entered the US Army and served in the European Theatre from 1943 to 1945. After WWII, Ken returned to Berwind Fuel Co, becoming assistant superintendent of the dock and briquet plant and later superintendent until its closing in 1965. He worked as office manager for Zinsmaster Baking Co, until 1978 when he became the Douglas County Emergency Services Coordinator until his retirement in December 1985.
Ken participated in fundraising for the new Superior Senior Center, as well as participating in the center's Kazoo Band. He attended Faith United Methodist Church as well as the former Trinity United Methodist Church, serving as a choir member for many years.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Clara and Gilbert; wife, Maye (1986); sister, Clarice Erkkila; brother-in-law, Rudolph Erkkila; and special friend, Gail O'Keefe (2003).
Survivors include his son, Maynard, Chicago; and many brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews across the country.
Private committal will take place at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery, Superior.
(Superior Evening Telegram)
In 1941, he was joined in marriage to Maye Basterash, his beloved wife of 45 years. In the same year, he was employed as Office Clerk and Weighmaster at Berwind Coal Dock and Briquette Plant in Superior.
He entered the US Army and served in the European Theatre from 1943 to 1945. After WWII, Ken returned to Berwind Fuel Co, becoming assistant superintendent of the dock and briquet plant and later superintendent until its closing in 1965. He worked as office manager for Zinsmaster Baking Co, until 1978 when he became the Douglas County Emergency Services Coordinator until his retirement in December 1985.
Ken participated in fundraising for the new Superior Senior Center, as well as participating in the center's Kazoo Band. He attended Faith United Methodist Church as well as the former Trinity United Methodist Church, serving as a choir member for many years.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Clara and Gilbert; wife, Maye (1986); sister, Clarice Erkkila; brother-in-law, Rudolph Erkkila; and special friend, Gail O'Keefe (2003).
Survivors include his son, Maynard, Chicago; and many brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews across the country.
Private committal will take place at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery, Superior.
(Superior Evening Telegram)
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