Kendall Beerthuis

Kendall J. Beerthuis, 71, of Traverse City, died peacefully in his sleep at home Friday, Nov. 28, 2008.

Born March 13, 1937, in Grand Rapids, he was the only child of Jacob C. Beerthuis and Marie Elizabeth (Tange) Beerthuis. After graduating from the University of Michigan, he married Kathlyn (Rasmussen) Beerthuis, his wife of 47 years.

Ken worked 31 years as an electrical engineer for Consumers Power Company. While starting his career in Kalamazoo, he earned his M.B.A. from Western Michigan University and obtained his Professional Engineering license from the State of Michigan. Before coming to Traverse City in 1986, Ken worked for the company in Warren, Jackson, Alma and Saginaw.

Ken served as a deacon for the First Presbyterian Church and on the board of the United Way in Jackson. He was a charter board member of Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes and coordinated the building of the Duneside Trail for the Grand Traverse Audubon Club and the park service. Ken enjoyed many outdoor activities, including downhill and cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, sailing, wilderness canoeing, backpacking, birding, geocaching, and most of all, golf. He loved to travel and the family took vacations all over the United States, Europe, Canada and Costa Rica.

Ken was a devoted husband and father of Sandra and Sharon. He always had a positive attitude and an easy-going nature, even during his last years, in which he had Alzheimer's.

He is survived by his wife, Kay; daughter, Sandra Beerthuis; granddaughter, Nicole Beerthuis-Webb; daughter, Sharon; son-in-law, Bill Swartz; and grandsons, Aaron and Adam.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at The Presbyterian Church, 701 Westminster Dr., Traverse City, with Dr. Homer Nye officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601-7633.

The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City