Kenneth Harold Sherwin, age 86, of Northfield, peacefully passed away Friday, September 23, 2022, at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.
Ken was born to Milton Olaf Sr. and Malinda Sophie (Dierking) Sherwin on March 10, 1936, in Faribault, Minnesota. He graduated from Northfield High School in 1953 and then entered the United States Army in 1959. He served with the military police K-9 unit in Virginia Beach. VA. After receiving his honorable discharge in 1961, Ken continued to serve with the Army Reserve until 1964.
Ken knew at a very young age that he wanted to be a farmer. Ken returned home and joined his father and mother to run the family farm. Ken raised steers and pigs for several years and later focused on crop farming. When Ken retired from farming in 2012, his passion to watch things grow did not end. He decided to take on the challenge of growing fruit. He had many kinds of apples, plums, pears, cherries, and grapes, and he never gave up on his peach trees. Ken loved his flowers and landscaping around the farm and added a little more each year.
Ken loved the outdoors. He enjoyed watching the wild eagles return every year, riding around in his Ranger UTV, and loved watching all sports. He was a Minnesota Vikings original season ticket holder and never missed a kick-off. His true Viking pride is displayed in his front yard where he commissioned a local artist to carve a Viking statue with an eagle out of a large tree. If you spent time with Ken, it was always a good time and you would leave with a smile on your face. He was a kind, fun-loving, generous man, who loved life and was always ready for a new adventure.
Farming always came first, but Ken had many other interests. He loved to bowl and play basketball. He played Euchre or Cribbage with his family or friends in town. Ken enjoyed music from his old records, 8-tracks, cassette tapes, and live music. He was an accomplished accordion player and played for local dances. He enjoyed being part of a pit crew for a friend’s race team. In 1981, he purchased his Pontiac Grand Prix which he cherished for the rest of his life. Ken catered many pig roast events and was awarded 4 stars in Hog Carving in 2000 by the University of Pork Producers. He enjoyed trying new restaurants and searching for the perfect pop-overs.
He is survived by his brother Milton Olaf Sherwin Jr. of Denver, CO; sister Patricia K. Skaiem of Mahtomedi, MN; nieces and nephew Sara (Russ) Goos of White Bear Lake, MN, Leah (Gary) Featherstone of Maplewood, MN, Paul Skaiem of Kenyon, MN, (great) John Featherstone and Aaron Featherstone. He was preceded in death by his parents Milton (1993), Malinda (2004), brother Robert (1992), and nephew Michael (1973).
Private family services will be held. Ken will be laid to rest alongside his parents at Prairie Creek Cemetery in rural Northfield.
Memorials are preferred to Northfield-Prairie Creek Cemetery Association, 10763 James Trail, Northfield, MN 55057.
Arrangements by Bierman Funeral Home and Crematory. biermanfuneralhome.com.
