Kenneth Robert Glidden
1948-2024
Kenneth Robert Glidden, known by most as Ken, passed away on July 2, 2024, in Owen, at the age of 76. Born on Jan. 17, 1948, in Stanley, he succumbed to complications related to the Lewy Body Dementia that had been diagnosed a few years earlier. Ken dedicated much of his life to his family dairy farm passed down from his father. Ken was easily recognized by many in the local farming and dairy community; spending his spring, summer, and fall days as a custom field work contractor all over the area. Plowing, planting, harvesting, or spreading manure kept him busy from sun-up to sun-down when the weather permitted. When he wasn’t operating a machine in the field you would likely find him in the machine shop with his son Chad doing repairs, or even building his own custom machinery.
He graduated from Gilman High School in 1966 and attended UW-River Falls for one semester. Even though he left formal education behind, Ken never lost his love of learning. He would regularly sit in the evening reading any book he could get his hands on, watching YouTube videos, or surfing the internet. One of his favorite topics to learn and read about was History, but he always had time for a good science fiction novel as well.
Always looking for new adventures and a way to ‘make his fortune,’ he added onto the dairy farm in the early 80’s to raise veal calves. Unable to find a timely contractor to haul manure, he built and purchased machinery to take on this task himself. The large white 4WD Case tractor became well recognized in the area as he started traveling around the community taking on more and more work from local dairy farmers. After selling the calves and the dairy cows in the late 80’s, he spent a number of years driving semi-truck over the road on weekly trips to California. Even though he was a farmer for a majority of his life, he never desired for his kids to take over.
Ken was not comfortable in large social gatherings but loved personal interactions. There were a lot of laughter-filled conversations that took place leaning on a pickup truck, talking on the phone, or sitting opposite a chess board. Offering advice or lending a helping hand gave him great satisfaction, but being a grandfather was his greatest joy.
Ken leaves behind his loving wife, Pamela ‘Swaney’ Glidden; and their children, Shane (Lynn) Glidden, Chad Glidden, Stacy (Chad) Glidden, Marissa (Brett) Williams; his grandchildren, Brady, Bennett, Alayna, Adian, Rilei, Tanisha, Alexis, Sadie, Emily, and Sean. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred, his father, Richard, his father-in-law, William, his mother- in-law, Wilma, his siblings, Christine, Kurt, Karen, Jean, Joan, and his grandson Trent.
Visitation will be held at Christ Community Church of Jump River on Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m. A lunch will be served at Jump River Elementary School next door, where family and friends can continue to honor Ken’s memory. There will not be a public burial ceremony.
Paid Obituary 155542
