Kenneth Elden Blakeman, 75, of Sundance, WY, passed away at Rapid City, SD, on Saturday, April 11, 2009 following a massive stroke. Mr. Blakeman was born on Cabin Creek near Carlile, WY, on November 2, 1933. He was the fifth son and one of fourteen children born to Fred R. and Frances (Roberts) Blakeman. He grew up and was educated in Moorcroft, WY.

On June 16, 1952, Kenneth married Fern Cordingly from Upton, WY, and six children were born to this union. The couple lived in Moorcroft, then Lawton and Kalamazoo, MI, where they worked until Kenneth was drafted into the United States Army in 1954. He trained as a military tank driver and mechanic and was stationed at Fort Ord, CA; Fort Knox, KY, and Camp Irwin, CA, where their first son Randy was born in 1955.

After an honorable discharge from the Army in 1956, the Blakeman's returned to Moorcroft where they lived until 1980 when they moved to Buffalo, WY. They moved to Sundance, WY, in 1993. In his lifetime, Kenneth owned an operated four successful businesses; Blakeman's Gas Service, Cozy Motel, Do Drive In and Kenny Blakeman Trucking. In his retirement, he enjoyed woodworking and handcrafted many beautiful treasures for family members and friends. He will be lovingly remembered also for his famous pancake breakfasts, playing Phase Ten and dominoes with family, and for his infectious laughter. Others recall easily that he always had an interesting story to tell and that he was sincerely interested as well in the stories told by others. Although he traveled to many of the United States, he liked being at home where he enjoyed reading and puttering in the yard. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. As a man who believed in God, he strived to humbly live his life with integrity and was a lifelong member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church.

Kenneth is survived by his wife Fern and the six children who were honored to call him dad: Randy (and Rebecca) Blakeman of Pine Haven, WY, Mona (and Gari) Gill of Sundance, Evonna (and Gary) Schelling of Moorcroft, Steve (and Dana) Blakeman of Moorcroft, Ken (and Ronica) Blakeman of Buffalo, and Kevin Blakeman of Nanaimo, British Columbia. Blessed to call him grandpa were 22 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren. He is also survived by five brothers, James of Spearfish, SD, Robert of Sheridan, WY, Dallas of Atlantic Mine, MI, Calvin and Tom both of Moorcroft, three sisters, Marabel Gates of Sheridan, Ima Massie of Piedmont, SD, Lois Morgan of Gillette, WY, and many other relatives and friends.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Benjamin, Richard and Theodore, two infant sisters, Elaine and Lillian, and one granddaughter, Heather Ilene Blakeman in 1979.

Visitation will begin at 7:00p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Spearfish.

Funeral services will be at 10:00a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, burial will follow at 3:00p.m. at Moorcroft Cemetery in Moorcroft, WY.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to a charity of one's choice.

A service of remembrance will be held at 2:00p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at Cornerstone Ministries in Moorcroft.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel in Sundance. Online condolences may be written at: www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com