July 22, 1940 ~ April 17, 2024
Kenneth Alfred Lake, age 83, passed away April 17, 2024 in Emmett, Idaho.
Ken was born July 22, 1940 in Delta, Utah to James Alfred and Marie Myrtle Lovell Lake. Ken was the oldest of six children. He spent his childhood among the sagebrush and farmland of the Pahvant Valley. Ken attended all his school years in Delta. He graduated from Delta High in 1958 where he wrestled and played football.
Ken attended college for a year in Cedar City and then moved to Salt Lake City where he worked at a service station and attended technical college graduating in diesel mechanics. He then worked for a short time at Hercules Powder Company. During this time, he also married his high school sweetheart, Sally Nielson, on November 6, 1959 in the Salt Lake Temple. A few years later, they welcomed their first child - a son, Russell.
The family moved back home to Delta where Ken worked laying carpet and linoleum, supplying propane at Lake Philgas, running film at the movie theater, and patrolling as a boat ranger at Gunnison Bend Reservoir. Eventually, he began his career at Continental Telephone (later Frontier) where he continued working until retiring at age 63.
While in Delta, Ken and Sally welcomed another boy, Allen; two girls, Kristine and Tracie; and then two more boys, Jeremy and Cody into their family. They enjoyed supporting their children in sports and other activities, being close to many extended family members, and being a part of the Delta community. The family relocated to Arizona in 1979 first to Pinetop and then shortly to Taylor. They grew to love the area and gained many friendships with the people there as well. In 1993, Ken and Sally returned back home first to Delta and then to nearby Leamington to farm and help care for aging parents. In 2003, Ken and Sally welcomed a grandson, Josh, into their home on a permanent basis. In 2017, Ken and Sally moved to Idaho to be close to family.
Ken enjoyed boating, waterskiing, riding horses, and fishing. Ken was known and respected for his strong work ethic. He cared deeply for his family and friends and was always willing to serve others. Above all, Ken enjoyed spending time with and serving his children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ken is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Sally, of Emmett, Idaho; his siblings: Susan (Ron) Petersen and Garth (Leslie) Lake, both of Delta, Utah, Jeanette (Dallas) Anderson, Laurel (Layne) Eliason, both of Deseret, Utah; brother-in-law: Scott (Caren) Anderson of Delta, Utah; children: Russ Lake of Payson, Utah; Allen Lake of Delta, Utah; Kris (Kim) Palmer of Royse City, Texas; Tracie (Rex) Gilliland of Flagstaff, Arizona; Jeremy (Raquel) Lake of Emmett, Idaho; Cody (Nicole) Lake of Leamington, Utah; grandson: Josh (Mary) Lake of Emmett, Idaho; and many other grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Barbara.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 8, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 90 Center Street in Leamington, Utah at 1 p.m. The service will be open to family and friends.
