Kenneth "Ken" Netjes, 69, of Rochester, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 4, 2018 in Woodhull, IL.

Ken was born in Tyler, MN on June 5, 1948 to Bert and Marie Netjes. He grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota and graduated from Ruthton High School in 1966.

He married Sharon Westbury of Minneapolis, MN and welcomed their daughter, Jackie, into their lives in 1972. The family moved to Rochester in 1977.

Ken worked at several jobs in Rochester over the years and spent the past 20 years with Lawrence Transportation Company, driving truck. He was an active member of Autumn Ridge Church for the past 37 years, assisting in youth programs, serving as an usher and attending various Sunday School classes.

Ken had a passion for farming and had an extensive model tractor collection, which he  loved to talk about to any listening ear. He enjoyed attending local threshing bees and drives through the countryside with his wife, Sharon. Together they also enjoyed visiting museums. He was a lifelong learner and was always inquisitive. Ken loved his wife and family dearly and delighted in visiting his daughter, son-in-law and grandkids in Colorado.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughter, Jackie (Chad) Scherer of Littleton, CO; two grandchildren, Jack and Cole; two sisters, Alvina (Dean) Naeve and Reona (John) VanRuler; four brothers, Bruce (Lois), Jack (Beth), Bob (Simone), and Mark (LaDonna); sister-in-law, Jeanne (Jesse) Zeman; brothers-in-law, Dan Westbury and Tom (Wendy) Westbury as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 11, at Autumn Ridge Church, Timothy Chapel. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 10, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.  Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association of Denver, CO.