Kenneth Heimbigner

Kenneth Heimbigner, a long time resident of Moses Lake, passed away May 9th at age 92 years old. Ken and his wife Allison enjoyed over 70 years of marriage together, having married on September 8th of 1946 in Ritzville, WA. Ken was born on the family homestead a few miles outside of Ritzville and grew up on the wheat farm along with his siblings Hershel, Betty, Barbara and Fritz. He enjoyed life on the farm, especially taking care of the livestock. A 1943 graduate of Ritzville High School, Ken was a natural leader, serving as Student Body President, as well as a standout athlete in both football and baseball. As a young man, Ken enjoyed working as a roofer, a carpenter, as well as the head herdsman on the Rutter’s Black Angus ranch in Ellensburg. Eventually, he found his way to a long career in the retail furniture business. Along with his wifeAllison, he owned Moses Lake Furniture and Ritzville Furniture. He served as President of the Pacific Northwest Retailers Association, and wasthe recipient of the John Q. Kelly award as the outstanding furniture retailer in the Pacific Northwest region. Ken’s community service, while residing in Ritzville, Ephrata, and Moses Lake, included FFA, Jaycees, Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, and the Kiwanis Club where he served as President of the club. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Moses Lake for over 50 years. Friends of Ken will remember him as a master woodworker, an avid hiker in the Cascade Mountains and a patient fisherman throughout the Columbia Basin. Ken is survived by his wife Allison, of Moses Lake, and their children, Sandra & Deni Atkinson of Ritzville, WA, Brian & Linda Heimbigner of Cumming, GA, and Douglas Heimbigner & Hally Birnbaum of New York. Other survivors include Ken’s younger sister Barbara Niendam of Spokane, WA, as well as Ken & Allison’s grandchildren Eric & Tana Atkinson of Spokane, WA, Ryan Atkinson & Alison Forsythe of Yakota Air Force Base, Japan, Kristi & Greg Kruepke of Waukesha, WI, Kali & Tom Andrus of Issaquah, WA and great-grandchildren Lauren, Tyler, Trevor, Kyle, Cameron, Nathan and Harper. The Heimbigner family wishes to thank all of the healthcare providers and staff who cared for Ken at Brookdale-Hearthstone, Columbia Crest Care Center and Samaritan Healthcare. Their never-ending warmth, smiles and laughter were greatly appreciated. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the United Methodist Church, 746 Ironwood Drive, Moses Lake, Washington. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, donations to support the Future Farmers of America at Ritzville can be sent to: LRS FFA Alumni 1739 E. Roloff Road Ritzville WA 99169 FFA information: awilliams@lrschools.org

Kenneth Heimbigner

February 13, 1925 - May 9, 2017