KEN STAFFANSON

Long-time Skagit Valley resident, Ken Staffanson, gave way to death on May 22, 2016 at the age of 87. Ken was born in 1928 in Mount Vernon to Swedish immigrants, John and Elizabeth Staffanson.

Swedish was Ken’s first language. Ken graduated from Burlington-Edison High School. He lived in Skagit Valley his entire life except for 3 years spent in the U.S. Army, most of which time was in Germany.

Ken married the love of his life, Phyllis Jones, on Feb. 20, 1956. They were married 58 years, until Phyllis passed away in September 2014. Ken and Phyllis enjoyed a lifetime together raising their family and farming in Dodge Valley close to La Conner.

Ken loved family, friends, nature, farming, honesty and hard work. Except for his time in the military, Ken spent his life as an enthusiastic farmer. Ken enjoyed snow skiing, working puzzles, reading Louis L’Amour and traveling. When their children were older, Ken and Phyllis traveled to the Caribbean, Asia, Japan, Tahiti and Sweden.

He was a great dancer and spent many evenings out with Phyllis for dinner and dancing. Ken had a sweet tooth and was very fond of having coffee and Phyllis’ homemade cinnamon rolls with family and good friends. The coffee pot was always on, and company was warmly welcomed and encouraged to sit and visit while they enjoyed homemade goodies.

Those who knew Ken well, know he was a force of nature when it came to getting things done around the farm. He was one of the last people in Skagit Valley to dike, drain and clear land for farming. Ken enjoyed a busy day on the bulldozer, clearing land and building fires. He was always in favor of a good hotdog roast.

Decades of hard work built into Ken much strength and stamina. Even in his 70s, it was hard to find men in their 20s who could keep up with him on the farm. Ken really valued seeing the farm improved and being part of what it took to feed a nation.

Ken remained active, often going to work with his son several days a week, right up until his final days. Ken loved life until the end and often told those closest to him, they should thank the Good Lord for all the family, friends and beautiful nature that surrounded them. Ken was able to live at home on Dodge Valley Road until he died.

Along with his immediate family, Ken always kept his mother and father, brothers and sisters, and nieces and nephews close to his heart.

Ken is survived by his three children, Christy Staffanson, Craig Staffanson and his wife Jocelyn, Karen Staffanson and his grandson Terry Surratt. He leaves behind his sister Ellen Chain of Shady Cove, Oregon and his brother-in-law Gary Jones and his wife Marilyn of Mount Vernon and many cousins, nieces and nephews in Sweden and the United States.

Ken was preceded in death by his dear wife Phyllis, his parents Elizabeth and John Staffanson, brother Johnny Staffanson, sister-in-law Joann Staffanson, sister Beatrice Peterson, brothers-in-law Ernst Peterson and Charles Chain.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 25, at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, followed by a reception at Ken and Phyllis’ home at 13801 Dodge Valley Road. Everyone is welcome.

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home of Mount Vernon.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful people at Island Hospital and La Conner Medical for providing Dad with exceptional care while treating him with dignity, respect and extraordinary human kindness. The family is also deeply grateful to the warm-hearted and loving care Ken received from his in-home caregivers; these very special people did so much to make sure Ken enjoyed life to the fullest.