Kenneth A. “Ken” Vinge was born on July 16, 1933, and passed away peacefully in St. Paul, Minn., on Dec. 30, 2015, at age 82. Kenneth was a resident of Coon Rapids, Minn., at the time of his passing.

On July 16, 1933, Kenneth Allen Vinge was born to Knute and Bernice Adelia (Olson) Vinge in Houston County, Minn. He would be united with the love of his life, Sandra, on Feb. 26, 1962, in Miles City, Mont. Together, they would travel to many different places including Ariz., and Calif. Ken worked for four years as a pastor before returning to school to earn his Master’s degree in Far Eastern Studies inspired by a year spent living in Tawain. He would later teach at Irondale High School until retiring at the age of 62. There he would love coaching football and basketball. In his free time, Ken loved anything outdoors whether it was skiing, mostly in his younger years, or spending countless hours in his flower garden. Sandra and Ken loved to spend time with friends playing cards.

Ken is survived by his wife, Sandra of 53 years; children, Hans, Stephanie (Allan), Jon (Stacy), Per (Wendy); and ten grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents.