Kenneth L. Kalivoda

Kenneth L. Kalivoda was born in Belleville, Kansas on September 24, 1923 to John and Rose (Hess) Kalivoda. Ken passed away at his home on Friday, May 29, 2015 with family by his side.
His family moved to north of Wray in the middle 1930’s. He graduated from Wray High School in 1941. He was a member of the Wauneta baseball team and met his love, Beverly Anderson, while playing baseball. They were married on April 16, 1955 in Raton, New Mexico. Ken and Bev just celebrated 60 years together last month. To this union, two daughters were born, Julie and Janet.
Ken worked at J.C. Penny’s after high school and then worked for Firestone Hardware Store. Later, Ken went to work for Dick Hobson at Hobson’s Men’s Store. He and Bev purchased the store in 1965 after Dick Hobson passed away. They ran the clothing store for 44 years and retired on April 1, 1998.
Ken enjoyed the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, and golfing. Gardening was his favorite pastime and he was very particular about planting and raising his vegetables. Ken hauled both of his daughters to gymkhanas all over the area during their school years. He raised calves at his pasture west of town and had each of the calves tamed and named by the end of each summer. Ken loved his grandsons and taught them many life lessons throughout the years. After retiring Ken enjoyed going to 9 o’clock coffee at the Sandhiller but hated getting stuck with the bill. He made deer, beef, goose and turkey jerky for family and friends that will be missed as he never told anyone the secret ingredient that made it so good.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, John and Rose Kalivoda; step-mother Elizabeth Kalivoda; one brother Glenn Kalivoda; father-in-law and mother -in- law Albert and Marie Anderson, brother-in-law Douglas Anderson, sister-in-law, Dorthy and her husband Darrell Veal, and nephew Dan Veal.
He leaves to mourn his loving wife of sixty years, Beverly; two daughters Julie Rus, Janet and husband Brent Brug; grandson Beau Brug and wife Molly with great-grandchildren Cael Kenneth and Brielle Ann, grandson Jared Brug and wife Holly; brother -in-law Monty Anderson and wife Joyce of Crook, CO; sister-in-law Dixie Anderson; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Services will be held Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at 10:00am at the United Methodist Church in Wray with Pastor Norm Stott officiating. Interment at Glendale Cemetery following the funeral service. The arrangements were made by Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Wray United Methodist Church or Hospice of the Plains.