Kenneth L. Beaulieu

Kenneth L. Beaulieu

April 14, 1936 – November 5, 2020

 

Survived by his wife, Rose Beaulieu; children: Pam Beaulieu, Scott (Lisa Gobar) Beaulieu, Jacque (Jeff) Zimmerman; nine grandchildren. Pre-deceased by his son, Randy (Jennifer) Beaulieu.

VISITATION observing CDC guidelines: Monday, November 9th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel, with VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Tuesday, Nov. 10th at 10am at S. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 7790 S. 192nd St. in Gretna. Interment: Resurrection Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org).  To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service, Mass, and Graveside Service, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Service” button on the home page

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IN LOVING MEMORY OF KEN BEAULIEU

Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend, The Life of the Party, Genuine, Kindhearted, Fun loving, Affectionately referred to as “Kenny” or “Frenchy”.  Born in Frederic, Wisconsin on April 14, 1936, Graduated in 1954 from Frederic High School. Married Rosemary on January 26, 1957.

On his own by the age of 13 after his father died, Ken worked as a farm hand for room and board and after school at a gas station, played high school football and was homecoming king. He and his two brothers looked out for their little sister Rosie and bought her first bicycle when she was 10. After high school, he moved to Minneapolis in search of work, finding his way into management training at F.W. Woolworth Company where he met Rosemary.  In 1963, with his wife and three children, he took a chance on a Ben Franklin franchise opportunity in Sioux City, IA.  Ken worked hard, even playing drums in a country band on the weekends to help make ends meet.  He eventually parlayed his Ben Franklin partnership into five stores in Sioux City, Fort Dodge, IA and Papillion, NE. He spent the last 20+ years of his career as a successful real estate agent.  After retirement in 2011, Ken and Rose moved to Omaha to be near family.

Ken enjoyed a quick game of pitch with his buddies, was an avid Minnesota Twins baseball fan along with “Coach Rose”.  He cherished the annual fishing trip with his brothers Jerry and Laverne, which has grown into a tradition including sons and grandsons.  When it came to golf, if ever there was an example of “driving for show and putting for dough”, Ken was it, especially if there was a friendly wager.

He loved attending extended family gatherings as well as Football, Soccer, Baseball, Volleyball, Swimming, Tennis, Show Choir, Recitals, and other activities of the grandkids. 

The ultimate people person, stranger to no one. He always wore a smile and sometimes a mischievous grin as he loved to tease and bring smiles to others –  even sometimes at his own expense, relaying stories of clumsy mishaps over the years (ask us about the hot tub!).

Ken was a dedicated, loving husband and father who had a positive outlook, never dwelling on the past – loved life and embraced it. He left an everlasting impact on the lives of many.  We will miss him dearly.

For those of you who have an hour or so (that’s our disclaimer!), and want know more about Ken’s story (much of it in his own words on video), here’s a link to the video that we put together three years ago, to celebrate Ken & Rose’s 60th wedding anniversary, as well as both of their 80th birthdays:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/3K31R9NCidQLBaM59

13 Comments

  • Judy Boyle Posted November 8, 2020 10:57 am

    We are so saddened to hear of Ken’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
    We are quarantined right now because we were around someone who now has COVID, or we would be coming for the services! Love to you all!

  • Matt Jentges Posted November 9, 2020 9:54 am

    What a great man! Always had a smile for you. I feel blessed to have had him as part of my life. He will surely be missed.
    Matt Jentges

  • Janice Waggoner Posted November 9, 2020 1:36 pm

    So sorry to hear of Ken’s passing so soon after Randy. Two great men were taken too soon from us all.

  • Jeannie Hughes Posted November 9, 2020 2:00 pm

    11-9
    I’m so sorry. I sure will miss the trips Ken/Rose to sx city to visit and share gr children stories. We go back a long time when they first moved here. We went dancing every Saturday night. Ken loved to polka.! It was fun to watch him/Rose sail around the dance floor. Yes, Ken played Danny’s drum s in our basement as we jammed. Great guy!! Always ready for fun and laughter. Sure gonna miss you, Ken!!

  • Carol Fitzgerald Posted November 9, 2020 2:03 pm

    Pam, I am so sorry to read this in the paper. I never knew your father, but I know he raised a lovely person in you. I always remember working with you at Mutual. Prayers to you and your family.

  • Paul and Debbie Romenesko Posted November 9, 2020 2:11 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss.

  • Dan Jentges Posted November 9, 2020 5:36 pm

    Uncle Kenny sure will be missed I always enjoyed his stories and his smiles when we got together for family fun. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.

  • Rick Huber and Sheryl Williams Posted November 9, 2020 6:20 pm

    Very Sorry to hear of Ken’s passing it’s was awesome when you guys made the trip to St Clair to see Bob.
    God Bless..

  • Bob Jentges Posted November 10, 2020 8:21 am

    Kenny was optimistic and energetic; a self made business success. Most important he was a great family man.

  • Steve and Kathy Sanger Posted November 10, 2020 11:11 am

    We’re so sorry for your loss. We haven’t seen Ken much over the years but have heard many funny stories shared by mom and dad. He was quite the character. A great person. We’ll miss him.

  • Barb Baughman Posted November 10, 2020 11:26 am

    So sorry for the loss of someone so dear Jackie and Jeff and fam. You are all in my prayers. Peace and love in Christ

  • Steve and Lisa Mitchell Posted November 10, 2020 4:30 pm

    We share in the sadness of your loss of Ken. He was such a good man. We pray and we’ve had all our
    praying friends pray for your family, that God would wrap His loving arms around you and comfort your family and get you through it. That you would really feel His presence. We wish we’d had more time with
    him and will miss him very much. We love you guys! Steve and Lisa

  • Bill Bradbury Posted November 11, 2020 11:18 am

    I knew who Ken was during his time in Sioux City. I learned an important life lesson when he had the Ben Franklin Store. It must have been about 1965 when I was 13 and caught shop lifting in his store. He held me in his office and called my parents. My dad came up and between the two of them I learned something that day. Ken was a class act and more gracious than he should have been. My parents directed me away from some bad friends to a better group of friends, That whole experience helped shape me to be a better person. I hope that Ken’s family can celebrate Ken’s life knowing he probably impacted the lives of many people in a good way. Please accept my heart-felt sympathy.

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