---

Kenneth George John Zupon, age 83, passed away peacefully Friday, October 18, 2024 at his residence at VitaCare Living in Ogilvie, MN.

Born June 9, 1941 in Pine River, Minnesota. Attended school in Pine River through the 9th grade. At 16 years old he joined the Army where he served for three years. Finishing his tour of duty, he moved to Minneapolis where he had two or three different jobs before starting at Waldorf Paper Company in St. Paul. He worked his way up to Journeyman Pressman. He stayed with Waldorf for 19 years.

In 1963, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Wirtz and in 1967, their first son Steven was born. They decided to buy land and put up a home in North Branch, MN. He built their home, garage, and shed by himself, including all the electrical, plumbing, and everything else. He also built two sets of kitchen cabinets for the home, a china hutch, and dressers, desks, and coffee tables for his children and grandchildren. He put in an underground sprinkler system. He could, and did, fix anything and everything. This has been Ken and Betty’s lifelong home. Their additional children James, Sharon, and Jackie helped fill their home.

In 1981, Ken and Betty bought a Print Shop in Rush City, MN. They built it up and opened an office supply store too. Ken operated the print shop in one building and the office supply store and business office were in another building. Ken did all the printing and print related jobs while his wife managed the office supply business office. He retired in 2007 after 26 years of owning/operating his business.

While in business in Rush City, he was on the Planning Commission for several years, as well as a member of Chamber of Commerce.

Ken attended evening classes and later in life, got his GED. He also enrolled in Business/Accounting classes at Cambridge Community College over the years and had several credits.

He maintained his activity with St. Gregory The Great Catholic Church during his time on the Finance Committee and Building Committee for the addition of the Parish Hall.  He and Elizabeth also lead Adult Education and taught religious instruction from first grade through the confirmation class and later adult programs. The latest thing they found joy in was being on the Funeral Ministry. He is a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, holding most of the officer jobs as well as being very active in all their events.

Kenneth is survived by his wife Betty; children Steven (Laura), James (Sarah), Sharon (Greg Guillard), and Jackie (Nathan Luloff); and nine grandchildren Chelsie, Hannah, Jacob, Sophie (Jamie Jones), Nicholas (Erin), Geana (Connor Radel), Violet, Michael, and Ellen; and four step-grandchildren Will, AnnaGrace, Sky, and Bailey.

Those preceding him in death are his son James; parents, Herbert and Frances; brothers, John and David; nieces, Robin, and Deborah Rosa; nephew Brian Rosa; parents-in-law, August and Julia Wirtz; brothers-in-law, Richard and Lawrence, and Richard Rosa; sisters-in-law, Doris and Catherine; and niece-in-law Deborah Rosa

In his final days he suffered with Alzheimer’s disease. His final home was at VitaCare Living; a residential home where seven others shared their lives together. He will be truly missed by all those who knew him.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11AM Saturday, October 26, 2024 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in North Branch, MN. Visitation one hour prior. Burial to follow at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in North Branch. Arrangements through Grandstrand Funeral Home of North Branch. Condolences can be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com.

---