Kenneth F Surprenant

Mankato Mortuary
388-2202

Kenneth Francis Surprenant, age 76, of Mankato, MN, passed away on September 13, 2011, at Oaklawn Health Care Center in Mankato, MN, after battling cancer for three years.

Ken was born April 2, 1935, in rural Currie, MN, to Ralph and Augusta (Dresow) Surprenant. He was baptized, confirmed, and graduated high school from Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Currie, MN. He married Mary Jo Curtis on April 23, 1960, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Slayton, MN. He is survived by Mary Jo, son, Gregory of Eden Prairie, MN, daughter, Margaret of Eagan, MN, daughter, Theresa Surprenant (Ian) Barker of Minneapolis, and son, Chad (Tara) of Madison Lake; grandchildren, Jon and Meredith Altenhofen, and Noah, Ellie, and Caleb Surprenant; siblings, Doris (Floyd) Peterson of Plymouth, MN, Louise Gervais of Currie, MN, Ralph (Myrna) of Tracy, MN, Phyllis (Vern) Ahrndt of Plymouth, MN, Jim (Barb) of Slayton, MN, Mary Steffen of Waconia, MN, Leo of Redwood Falls, MN, Bernadette (Steve) Koester of Mitchell, SD, Fr. Paul of Byron, MN, Joan of North Mankato, MN, and Mike of Currie, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Fr. John, brothers-in-law, Jim Steffen and Hugh Gervais, nephew, Philip Steffen, and son-in-law, Mike Altenhofen.

After high school, Ken served in the US Army, stationed in Chicago. Upon his honorable discharge, Ken and Mary Jo farmed prior to earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University. After various engineering positions, Ken and Mary Jo founded I&S Group in Mankato in 1973.

Ken was a very unique individual characterized by his caring, compassion, and selflessness. Those traits were the foundation of the many lives he touched and individuals he mentored. Baseball was an activity he loved during his youth, and he kept that in his life by teaching and coaching countless boys and young men throughout the years. In 2009, Ken was inducted into the MAYBA Hall of Fame for his efforts in Mankato baseball. During his many years at I&S, Ken had similar opportunities to develop outstanding young professionals. When MSU looked to start a Civil Engineering program, Ken along with I&S and others provided financial assistance.

Ken had a fondness for the subdivision where he built his dream home and lived his last nine years. He was affectionately known as the mayor there and dearly loved maintaining the road ditches and parkette he developed looking over the Minnesota River. While he proudly made the Mankato area his home for over forty years, his farming upbringing was always a part of him. He took pleasure in writing family histories and poetry about his upbringing and experiences.

Ken will be greatly missed by his family for whom nothing came above, and by all the others for whom his life touched.

Mankato Mortuary at 1001 North Riverfront Drive will host a Rosary Ceremony at 3:45 PM followed by a visitation from 4-7 PM, Friday, September 16. Funeral Services officiated by Frs. Paul Surprenant and Robert Schneider will be at 10:30 AM, Saturday, September 17 at All Saints Church, Madison Lake. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Madison Lake. A reception at the home of Chad and Tara Surprenant will follow.

Memorials to All Saints Church Kitchen Renovation in Madison Lake will be preferred in lieu of flowers and other gifts.