Kenneth Venable

TWIN FALLS — Kenneth Eugene Venable, 88, of Twin Falls passed away peacefully Saturday, July 01, 2017 at his home with family by his side.

Ken was born November 12, 1928 to Lee and Pauline Venable of Kimberly, ID. Ken graduated from Kimberly High and was active in all sports.  Upon graduation Ken was a proud veteran and served his country in the Armed Forces. Ken married Dorrene Mae Anderson on April 14, 1948 and they raised four children in the Twin Falls area until 1966.  Ken’s early work career began by helping his father farm in Kimberly.  Over the next 18 years Ken worked for Pacific Fruit, Wonder Bread, and Nalleys.

In 1966 Ken, Dorrene and children embarked on a new career that took them to Santa Rosa, CA.  For 20 years Ken and Dorrene owned and operated two Arctic Circle drive-in restaurants in Santa Rosa and Healdsburg, CA.  In 1992 they moved back to Twin Falls and many family and friends. 

Ken and Dorrene were avid RVer’s.  They traveled many years exploring and seeing most of the USA.  They met fellow RV friends and shared golf, sporting events and the thrill of the outdoors.  In their later years they camped closer to home and enjoyed many evenings and mornings around a campfire with family.  Ken was known as the “fire master”.

Ken was extremely active in the Elks, Lodge 2807. He served on many committees and was honored as Elk of the Year and Officer of the Year. He was Food Bank Chairman and personally responsible for obtaining hundreds of pounds of food each year from local business establishments.  These were donated to the Elks hospital in Boise and also annual Christmas basket donations to worthy families.  Earlier this year Ken was honored and privileged to have earned the very rare esteemed title of Royal Elk.

Ken was greeted in heaven by his parents and brother, Robert.

Those left loving him is Dorrene, his wife of 69 years, of Twin Falls; daughter, Linda (Bill) Rupert of Twin Falls, ID; son Steven (Elizabeth) Venable of Santa Rosa, CA; son Gregory (Joyce) Venable of Columbia, MO; Deborah (Ron) Reed of Grass Valley, CA; 9 grandchildren, Brian of Reno, NV; Carlos of Honolulu, HI; Jocelyn (Jason) of Elk Grove, CA; Jake of Camptonville, CA; Erin of Glendale, MO; Kenny of Columbia, MO; Michael (Brittany) of Ballwin, MO;  Randy of Grass Valley, CA; and Mathew of Grass Valley, CA; 10 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren; along with many other family members, cousins and friends.

Ken was a lover of animals and always had a canine at his side.  Misty was his faithful companion.

He was a loving husband, a caring father and grandpa and a true and faithful friend.  Ken was an amazing man.  He will be missed every day by those who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be held at the Elks Lodge in Jerome, ID later this summer.  The date and time will be announced.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI) or the Elks Lodge 2807 Jerome, ID.