Obituary of Kenneth Schimmels

Ken left this earth to be with our Lord, February 3, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.Ken was 77 years old. He leaves us with a loving legacy of caring for one another and being true to yourself.Ken was born in Naponee, NE. to Eleanor and DeLoyd Schimmels and when he was 9 months old they moved to Apple Valley, Idaho. Ken grew up working in the fields helping the nearby farmers. He graduated from Parma High School then went on to Weaver Airline School in Kansas City, MO. He obtained a job with Capitol Airlines at Midway Airport, in Chicago, IL. as a baggage handler, then operations agent.It was at Midway Airport he met his future wife, Donna Kunz, also a Capitol Ticket Agent.They were married on Jan. 16, 1960 in Shawano, WI. They soon moved to Minneapolis, MN with the Capitol Airlines.Married only 5 months, "Uncle Sam" drafted Ken into the U.S. Army. Ken served at Fort Sill in Lawton, OK as a Military Policeman. During his service, Capitol Airlines was absorbed by United Airlines. Their son Scott Alan was born at Fort Sill in 1961 . Upon discharge Ken, Donna and Scott moved back to Minneapolis and Ken continued to work for United airlines. Their son Michael Kevin was born in 1963. Ken also instructed in Meteorology, Weight and Balance of Aircraft Operations at Humboldt Airline Institute.Ken was active in the community as Cub Scout Master, Boy Scout Leader and coaching his boys' T-ball teams.In 1975 Ken fulfilled his lifelong dream of learning to fly. Ken earned all the ratings including instructor for single and multi engine, aerobatic, and float plane. He became an instructor for Wings Inc. at St. Paul, MN. He had 60 students under his care, when he transferred to Eugene, OR with United Airlines. He flew charters and instructed through McKenzie Flight School at the Eugene Airport. He also flew for the BLM and for Forest Service.Ken retired after almost 40 years with United Airline. Time now to golf, do some woodworking /carving and traveling. Ken and Donna had traveled to Rome, Italy, toured Australia, Copenhagen, Denmark, Hawaii and a great land tour and cruise to Alaska.Ken is survived by his wife of 54 years, Donna, son Scott (Jeanne) of Dayton, OH; son Michael, (Alex) of San Jose, CA. Grandchildren, Katya of Gresham, OR; Jennifer of Warsaw, IN; Ethan and Brian of Dayton, OH. Brothers Larry (Mary) of Fruitland, ID; and Kirby (Mary Ellen) of Houston, TX.A graveside service for family will be Monday, Feb.10th. A celebration of LIFE Memorial service will Be Monday, Feb 10th at 2p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 3280 River Road, Eugene, OR. A reception in the Fellowship Hall follows. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Peace Health Hospice of Sacred Heart, Messiah Lutheran Church or to a charity of your choice in Ken's memory.Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com