Ken Bosacker died peacefully at home on Monday, March 21, 2011, in the presence of his loving family and dearest friends.

He was born on the family farm south of LeCenter, Lasauer County, on June 17, 1916, the son of Charles and Florence Bosacker. He was the youngest of eight children. He attended country school, graduating from eighth grade at the age of 12. He then went to work on the family farm.

When Ken was 19, his father passed away and he moved to Albert Lea and worked at various jobs until going to work for Northland Greyhound Corporation in May 1941. He drove a charter trip with the Concordia College Choir to Montana in February 1942. It was then he discovered the breathtaking scenery of Montana for the first time, and decided he must make Montana his home. Two months later, he moved to Billings, Mont.

He joined the U.S. Navy in October 1942 and, after his discharge, he returned to Billings and continued driving bus until he retired on Oct. 29, 1971.

Ken was also a building contractor. He began building houses in 1948 and, by the time he retired from Greyhound, Bosacker Construction Company had 13 employees. In 1975, he became an independent contractor, specializing in home remodeling, and worked until 1995. Ken was very proficient in drawing his own floor plans, and everything needed in the construction was included, but he occasionally ran short of something or needed four more nails or two-by-fours.

In 1955, he married Rosemary Connelly Schrammeck, and they had two daughters: Kim and Rose.

In December 1977, he was married to Bonnie Mills in Glendive. They lived in Billings and Dean, Mont. Ken helped build the Nye Community Church and was the “official” greeter at the church with a special word of greeting for everyone.

Ken loved the great outdoors! Winters you could find him in the mountains hunting elk or deer. Summers, he fished for trout at Emerald Lake with his girls and later with many of the grandchildren in tow. Every autumn, a group of men from Minnesota came to Montana for two weeks to hunt with their friend Ken, who served as their guide and camp cook.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; four sisters; a stepson, Bob Schrammeck; and a grandson, Jeremy Mills.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; two daughters: Kim and Rose and their families; three stepdaughters: Karen, Kitty and Mary; and three stepsons: Gordy Scott and Craig and their families; 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

A special thank you to the RiverStone Hospice staff who care for Ken and his family over the past few months. An extra special thanks goes out to Linda Utter, his home health aide, for her loving care and wonderful sense of humor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to RiverStone Hospice or Beartooth Mountain Christian Ranch.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. today at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Visitation was from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Smith’s West Chapel, 304 34th St. West. Interment will be at 3 p.m. today at Custer County Cemetery.