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Kent Clifford Alden passed away April 9, 2024 in Ames, IA after a recent diagnosis of stomach cancer. Kent was born June 2, 1941 to Clifford and Kathleen (Streed) Alden in Frederic, WI. Kent grew up in Frederic with his four sisters Janice, Peggy, Kristine, and Kathy. He attended school in Frederic through 10th grade. The family moved to Lindstrom, MN in 1957, where he graduated from high school in 1959. Growing up he loved to play sports, especially football and baseball. 

After high school Kent enrolled in the US Army. Near the end of his time in the service, he was extended due to the Berlin Wall crisis and was stationed in France in 1961. His assignment was chauffeuring high-ranking officers to meetings, which  is attributed to one day, as an officer saw Kent driving in a fresh snowfall, said, “Whoever that is, I want him as my driver!” Kent said he ate very well during this time and quickly gained 10 pounds! When asked how long he served, Kent said he was in the Army for two years, two months, and 23 days- -not that he was counting! 

Kent’s career began at Andersen Windows in Stillwater, working in production. He then joined the crew assembled by Rodney Larson, a home builder in Lindstrom, and for some years worked alongside his father, Clifford. Kent then helped build apartment buildings in the Twin Cities. Over the years, Kent developed his woodworking and cabinetmaking skills and eventually established Alden Cabinets and remained self-employed until he retired. 

In 1969, Kent met his future wife June Behrens. They bought a home on beautiful Chisago Lake in Chisago City in 1979 and always kept a large, bountiful garden to provide for their family; son Corey, born in 1974, and son Casey, in 1983. Kent always enjoyed watching his sons play sports and attended every game he could. 

Kent was a vital member of the community--serving as a volunteer on the Lindstrom Fire Department for 37 years, building, maintaining and upgrading local homes and businesses in the Chisago Lakes area, to even preparing the resting place of many in local cemeteries. 

Kent had such a zest for life and loved being outdoors! He wanted to do and try everything! Kent raced stock cars in Cedar Lake, Milltown, and Amery, WI, and had multiple trophies for snowmobile racing. He owned boats and fished. He loved trapshooting and deer hunting with his friends every year in Kingsdale, MN. Kent obtained his pilot's license and owned a float plane that he occasionally would fly up to Canada to go fishing. In the 1970s, he flew his plane with the Ki Chi Saga Princess over the Sportsmen's Grounds for a candy drop during the annual picnic. Kent was an avid reader and especially loved mysteries based in Minnesota. 

In recent years, Kent began having health issues and had his first fight with cancer in April of 2020. Kent did not let his complete laryngectomy slow him down. He continued to create beautiful wood furniture and other fun projects that he had always wanted to do. Off and on for the past four years, he spent time at his home-away-from-home in Iowa with son Corey and Corey’s wife AnneMarie. He enjoyed his time creating in the wood shop, loved attending car shows, taking scenic drives, and going camping with them. 

Kent was preceded in death by his parents Clifford Alden July 15, 1982, and Kathleen (Streed) Alden July 31, 2014, and wife June (Behrens) Alden May 23, 2011. 

Kent is survived by sister Janice (Robert) Anderson of Newport, MN, sister Peggy Murray of Cincinnati, OH, sister Kristine (William) Veeneman of North Oaks, MN, sister Kathy Alden of Lino Lakes, MN, son Corey (AnneMarie) Alden of Ames, IA, son Casey (Chellie) Alden of Lindstrom, MN, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Kent at 11a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2024 at  Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom.  Visitation will be one our prior to the service.  A private family interment will be held at a later date.  Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com

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