Obituary of KENNETH ALBERT PALEN

KENNETH ALBERT PALEN

Ken (aka Bert) passed away in hospital May 16, 2024. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Bloomer, grandsons Evan and Matthew, sisters Louise Berglund and Margaret Gay, Burlington, ON, Kathy Renwick (Jan) Grande Prairie, AB, brothers Alan, Winnipeg and Hugh, Grande Cache, AB.

He was predeceased by his wife Gwen Humeston, his parents Hugh Palen and Helen Lane (deceased 1941) and step mother Margaret Purkess, brothers Alexander, Dwight, Wesley, Fred, William and sister Ann.

Ken was born Aug. 2, 1936 in Odanah, Manitoba and as a young child moved to Carberry with his family. He attended Carberry schools and Brandon College and then worked at the Brandon Experimental Farm. He returned home to Carberry to help with the family business, the “Carberry Egg Grading and Poultry Processing Plant” managing the Rivers, MB station.

Ken was a proud Canadian and interested in all facets of Canadian life. He loved the outdoors. He liked talking to seniors about their life experiences. He read extensively about Canada and other countries, their peoples and religions. He was proud that his great grandfather and family were early settlers in the Ottawa Valley. He travelled to Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC. He lived in Lynne Lake, Northern Manitoba and worked in the Sherritt Gordon mines.

Settling back in Winnipeg, Ken worked until retirement with Centra Gas. His many pastimes included puzzles, card games, especially bridge, ballroom dancing, and debating Canadian politics and current affairs. He enjoyed Canadian sports particularly hockey and football. In the fall he would head out with his brothers for duck hunting. He stayed in touch throughout the years with a widely dispersed family of siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Being “Dad and GrandDad” brought the most joy to his life. He will be missed!

Thank you to the staff at the Holy Family Care Home and Saint Boniface Hospital for their compassionate care.