Kenneth Lee English, 82

Ken was born May 6, 1941, in Bemidji, Minn., to Lynn and Gladys English. He graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1959 and joined the U.S. Army, as a paratrooper with the Airborne Forces immediately after graduation.

Shortly after his return from the Army, he began a job with Union Pacific Railroad, where he worked until his retirement in 2001. But the job that brought him the most satisfaction was being the fire chief of the Moyie Springs Volunteer Fire Department. He served in that position for 47 years. His friends in the fire department, the city of Moyie, and the EMT, police and Sheriff’s Departments were all his family. Thank you for allowing him to continue to serve right up until his passing. 

He was also widely known for his love of falconry. He developed a love for helping birds, of all sizes, when he was in his early teens. As a licensed falconer, he spent countless hours rehabilitating injured hawks, owls, eagles, and more. He willingly brought his birds into the elementary school classrooms to share them with the kids whenever the opportunity arose. It was not uncommon to see him with a bird of some kind in a box in the cab of his truck on any given day. It was just who he was. 

In 1965, Ken married Linda Jelinek; they had a son, Rich. In 1970, he married Linda Helgerson. Together, they raised a son, Tim, and a daughter, Tanja. They were married for nearly 30 years. In 2001, he married Kathleen Bertling; they were married until her death in 2018. His last remaining years were spent with his friend, Pam Hartman.

In the 82 years that Ken lived, he was so many things to so many people. He was a son, a brother, a veteran, a husband, a dad, an uncle, a firefighter, a falconer, and a friend. He will be greatly missed. 

He is survived by his children, Tim (Stacey Walton) English, Tanja (Mike) Ferguson and Rich (Danna) Smith; his sister, Donna (Howard) Kent; and his grandchildren, Rebecca (Zack) Bradley, Ryan (Macie) Farrens, Christopher (Hailey) English, Kelsey (Sheldon Weston) English, Brenna (Cody) Anderson and Justin (Ciara Fitting) Smith. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lynn and Gladys English, and his wife, Kathleen English.

Services will be held at a later date. To leave a message or memory for the family, go to bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Bonners Ferry Funeral Home is caring for the family.