Kenneth Conrad E. Axtman

Kenneth (Conrad) E. Axtman, 83 a long time resident of Devils Lake passed away unexpectedly on Thursday morning, July 28, 2005 at Mercy Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 1, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Joseph Christensen will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home Chapel, Devils Lake on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers will be: Walt Hammond, Tom Nistler, Al Gangl, Julius Senger, Phil Steffan and Rodger Haugen. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Ken’s Grandchildren, Shelly Axtman, Cheri Jerger, Terri Birchem, John Schall and Becky Hewitt and Ken’s Great Grandchildren, Kaeley Birchem, Emily Birchem, Anna Birchem, Mary Jo Birchem, Chastine Schall, Hailey Schall, Noah Schall, Kalley Hewitt and Taylor Hewitt. Music will be provided by Sherry Kurtz and JoDee Lagein Ken Axtman was born on July 24, 1922 in Grand Harbor Township, ND, the son of Wendlin and Evelyn (Koble) Axtman. When Ken was 2 years old his family moved to Southam, ND. Ken was educated in the Southam School District. He served in the CCC’s from 1939 to 1941. Ken entered the United States Army in 1944, serving his country during World War II, stationed in Tokyo, Japan. He was honorably discharged in May of 1946 as a Staff Sergeant. On May 15, 1945, Ken was united in Holy Matrimony to Jeanne Englehart at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. They settled on a farm in the Southam area. Ken farmed until 1969 when he sold the farm and they moved into Devils Lake. Ken then was in the carpet cleaning business known as Ken’s Karpet Kare from 1969 until he retired in 2003. Ken was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and served as Head Usher for over 25 years. He was also a life member of the Knights of Columbus and the VFW. He was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Elks Lodge. Ken is survived by his loving wife and they were married for 60 years, Jeanne Two Children: Don Axtman and his wife, Cathy (Hanson) of Grand Forks, ND Cindy Schall and her husband, Darrold of Blaine, Minnesota Five Grandchildren: Shelly Axtman, Devils Lake Cheri (Axtman) Jerger and husband, Shawn, Fargo, ND Terri (Schall) Birchem and her husband, Dennis, Blaine, MN John Schall and his wife, Amy (Nielson), Cottage Grove, MN Rebecca (Schall) Hewitt and her husband, Dan, North Mankato, MN Nine Great Grandchildren: Kaeley, Emily, Anna and Mary Jo Birchem Chastine, Hailey and Noah Schall Kalley and Taylor Hewitt Sisters: Lena Haugen and Mary Senger both of Devils Lake Kay Hermann, St. Paul, Minnesota Brother: Joe Axtman, Minot, ND Many Nieces, Nephews, Grand Nieces and Grand Nephews also survive. Preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Tom Axtman and Mike Axtman; sisters, Theresa A. Frier, Christine Richter, Margaret Kritz and an infant sister, Caroline. Ken was a great and loving husband, Dad, grandfather and great grandfather. We will always love him and miss him desperately. Memorials may be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Friends may sign the on-line register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com