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December 9, 2012

Kenneth Krabbenhoft

—   Kenneth Krabbenhoft, Sioux Falls, SD and formerly of Mankato, MN, passed away at Sanford Hospice Centennial Cottage on December 8, 2012.

  He was born in Page, ND, to Louis and Minnie (Johnk) Krabbenhoft on February 24, 1931, and grew up in Northwood, ND. Ken graduated from Northwood High School in 1949. In 1953, he graduated from Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana, with a B.A. degree.

  Ken married Elaine Skurdell, his high school sweetheart, in 1955. They moved to Fargo, ND, where Elaine was teaching. In 1956, he completed his Master degree in Bacteriology at Fargo. They then moved to Ames, IA, where he began his PhD studies in Food Microbiology in 1957, and also gave birth to their oldest son, Kelby. The family moved to Mankato, MN, where, for four years, Ken taught at Mankato State University. While in Mankato, sons, David and Paul joined the family. In 1962, the family moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where Ken earned his PhD degree in Food Microbiology in 1965. The family then moved to Las Cruces, NM, wehre Ken taught at New Mexico State University through 1967. Returning to Mankato, MN, Ken taught at Mankato State University until his retirement. Ken and Elaine moved to Sioux Falls in 2005, to be closer to family. In addition to his love for family, science and academia, Ken was an avid follower of collegiate sports, and the Minnesota Vikings.

  Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Elaine Krabbenhoft, Sioux Falls, SD; sons, Kelby Krabbenhoft and his wife, Heidi, Sioux Falls, SD, David Krabbenhoft and his wife, Karen, Middleton, WI, Paul Krabbenhoft, and his wife, Lisa, Lincoln, NE; seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; sister, Joyous Smalkoski, Burnsville, MN; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Minnie (Johnk) Krabbenhoft; brothers, Perry Krabbenhoft and Chester Krabbenhoft; and a sister, Lois Sande.

  Services will be 11:00 am Thursday, at Memorial Lutheran Church, 5000 S. Western Avenue. Visitation begins at noon, Wednesday, with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 Wednesday evening at Miller West, 6200 W. 41st Street, Sioux Falls. A private interment will take place at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Mankato, MN, at a later date.

  Memorials may be directed to Sanford Hospice Cottage, Memorial Lutheran Church, the SD Lion's Eye and Tissue Bank, or Augustana Men's Basketball.

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