Kenneth Gergen Linnum

Kenneth Gergen Linnum, age 79, passed away as a result of lymphoma cancer on October 7, 2016 at Solvay Hospice House. He was born on August 28, 1937 to Carl Gergen and Gladys (Nowman) Linnum in Blackduck, MN. He was raised in Kelliher, MN and graduated in 1955 from high school. He worked summers on farms and ranches in North Dakota and Montana.  He went to Macalester College and then Jamestown College, graduating in 1959 and received a B.A. in music. He volunteered for the military draft in 1960 with basic training at Fort Ord, CA.   Then Ken served time at Fort Slocum, New York; thereafter he was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. His military specialty was first psychological warfare.  Later he transferred to the 440th Army band as a trombone player and men's choir director.  Honorably discharged at the rank of Specialist, 4th class, in 1962. He began his working career in Mpls, MN in 1962 at Allstate Insurance in the claims dept. He married Ann Louise Leonhardt in 1965 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Kelliher, MN.  They moved from Mpls to Pewaukee, WI in 1971. The family moved to Duluth, MN in 1985.  After 34 years with Allstate he retired in 1996. During his retirement, he enjoyed hobbies in music, mechanics, machining, carpentry, genealogy, and working at their cabin on Upper Red Lake. He enjoyed playing piano the most. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Gergen and Gladys; and half-brother, Edward Carl Linnum.   He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Ann; sons, Ross (fiancé Dawn) and Thor (Libby) Linnum; three grandchildren, Ashton, Rand, and Logan Linnum; twin sister, Kathleen (Arnold) Anderson; nephew, Brett Anderson; nieces, Kristin Warmanen, Tina Kabanuk, Anna Mueller, and Jenny McShane; and sister-in-law, Irene (Marlowe) Berg. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 22nd. Visitation at 1pm and service at 2pm at Grace Lutheran Church, 5454 Miller Trunk Hwy, Hermantown, with Pastor Phil Berge officiating. Fellowship and meal to follow the service at the church.

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