Kenneth Calkins, Former Sitkan, Dies in Oregon

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Thursday, 01 September 2022 12:33

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Kenneth W. Calkins

Kenneth W. Calkins, a former Sitka resident, passed away peacefully July 27 at his home in Molalla, Oregon, his daughter Tammy and wife Bennie present. He was 84.

A celebration of his life will be held Sept. 17, at the family home in Molalla.

Ken was born June 2, 1938, in Park Falls, Wisconsin. He and his wife Bennie came to Sitka as newlyweds in 1963 to live closer to his mom and dad,  Richard and Leola Calkins.

Ken loved the outdoors, and worked in the woods most of his life. In Sitka, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service, building trails and cabins, and after leaving Sitka in 1965 he worked for many years as a logger for Crown Zellerbach in Oregon.

Ken loved spending time with his family. He was a jack of all trades, and enjoyed building birdhouses and chimes, always giving more away than he kept. He loved  going fishing (he was a catch-and-release kind of guy), and going hunting – especially the part about setting up the deer camp.

There wasn’t anyone Kin wouldn’t or couldn’t talk to, his family said. “His heart was overflowing with love,” they said.  “He always had a smile and a story ... He will be missed dearly.”

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Leola Calkins of Sitka and Ozell and Richard Browning of Molalla.

He is survived by his wife, Bennie Calkins of 11501 S. Toliver Road, Molalla, OR 97038; son Ken Calkins and Chris and family of Molalla; daughter Tammy and Duane Stetson and family of Mt. Angel, Oregon; daughter Kristi and Mark Stapleton and family of Trenton, Missouri; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren living in Oregon and Missouri.

Also surviving are his brothers,and their wives, Richard and Dorothy Calkins and Robert and Tommie Sue Calkins; sisters Nancy Hankins and Dorane Calkins Pederson, both of Oregon; and numerous nephews and nieces.

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