Kenneth Althoff

Kenneth William Althoff died on Sunday, November 19, 2006 at the Angels Care Center in Cannon Falls. Ken was born on June 29, 1921 in Graceville, MN, son of William Frederick and Ida Rose (Winter) Althoff. After Ken's mother died in 1923, Ken moved with his father, sister Irene and brother Oliver to Cannon Falls, where his father had acquired a hardware store. Ken graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1938, from St. Olaf College in 1944 and from Luther Theological Seminary in 1946. In January 1946 he married Charlotte Alexander at the Congregational Church in Cannon Falls. After interning at a church in Detroit, Michigan, he served congregations in Pine River and later Dawson, Minnesota. Ken left the ministry in 1953 for medical reasons and the family returned to Cannon Falls. Ken opened a small retail gift business, the Seven Seas Shop and also began importing religious and Christmas products which he sold through his connections with the Lutheran Church. Later the retail shop was closed as the wholesale business, now called Midwest importers, grew. The business evolved into Midwest, an international company which designs and sells Christmas and seasonal products to thousands of retailers throughout the US. Ken was always active in the Church and community. Among his activities he served as chairman of the first hospital board which was responsible for raising money to build the hospital which still serves the Cannon Falls community today. He served on the school board; he was awarded Goodhue County Citizen of the Year; he was finalist for Minnesota Entrepreneur or the Year. Ken sang in the St. Ansgar's choir for fifty years and led the building committee for the current St. Ansgar's church. Ken was instrumental in establishing an AA group in Cannon Falls and was active in the Shepherd's Center. He had many interests including golf, travel, reading history and bridge. Ken is lovingly survived by his wife Charlotte; his three children Bill (Nancy) Althoff, Kathleen (Dennis) Brekken and Jean Althoff; grandsons, Alexander (Wendy) Brekken, John Brekken and Kevin Althoff; great grandsons, Andrew and Austin Brekken; and his sister, Irene Klevens. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Ken is preceded in death by his parents, William F. and Ida R. and his brother Oliver. A Celebration of Ken's life will be on Wednesday, November 22 at 12:30 p.m. at the St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, with Pastors Gary Schulz and Arte Sharot officiating. Visitation will be from 10:30 until the hour of service at the church. Memorials are preferred to the Cannon Falls Hospital, the Shepherd Center and the Angels Care Center. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Sister Patricia and all the staff and volunteers at the Angels Care Center for the kindness, support and love they have shown Ken and the family over the past months.

Funeral Home: Lundberg Funeral Home 5839 Hwy 19 Blvd Cannon Falls, MN US 55009

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Previous Events

Visitation
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Service
Wednesday, November 22, 2006

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