Kenneth "Ken" Baalmann, age 66, of Larned, died May 1, 2013 at the Life Care Center in Andover. Ken had esophageal cancer.

He was born July 22, 1946, at the Thomas County Hospital in Colby, the second son of Edward G. Baalmann and Eleanor (Schlageck) Baalmann, who resided on a farm north of Grinnell in Sheridan County.

Ken attended Angelus Grade School and St. Joseph Military Academy in Hays. He enjoyed spending time in the shop on the farm tinkering with things. He was an excellent welder and built a winch truck. Ken was employed doing terracing work for area farmers. Ken worked on the Victor Schwarz feed lot near Menlo, and at Ace Services in Colby. He also worked on the construction of Interstate 70 between Grainfield and Oakley.

Ken's father died in 1972 and his mother died in 2004. He is survived by four brothers, Jerry Baalmann, Mark Baalmann (Gerry), and Joe Baalmann, all of Grinnell, Ron Baalmann (Maria) of Colby, and a sister, Audrey Bosley (Dennis) of Topeka, three nieces, nine nephews, five great-nieces and two great-nephews.

Ken was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Angelus, where the family held a private memorial graveside service with Fr. Michael Elan officiating. The family chose cremation. He will be missed by his family and friends who share good memories of their time with Ken. Memorials in his name may be made to the St. Paul Cemetery Fund in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley 67748.