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Kenneth Alfred Aho, age 89 of Chisago City, loving dad, grandpa, brother and uncle, passed away surrounded by family on September 27, 2025.

Preceded in death by wife Sharon; daughter Deanna; parents Alfred and Bertha; sisters Donna (Tom) Richardson, Carol Moore. Survived by children; Nancy (David) Beckwith, Joseph, Mary, Erik (Michelle); grandchildren;  Ian (Jessica), Elijah, Jacob, Nolan, Emmet; sister, Kathy (Gary) Beatty; brother-in-law Tom Moore; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ken grew up on the Iron Range in Gilbert Minnesota, the grandson of Finnish immigrants. He spent his childhood helping his grandparents with the cows in Gilbert, exploring the outdoors, fishing in the nearby lakes and streams, and attending Gilbert High School. As a boy, he looked up to his grandparents and spoke often of many life lessons he learned from his grandfather and even picked up a little bit of Finnish as well as “Finglish.” Ken initially took up his grandmother’s favorite instrument, the violin, before switching to the tuba (or sousaphone), which he proudly played in the school and city bands. He initially wanted to be a carpenter, but his teachers thought he had an aptitude for mathematics to compliment his creativity, encouraging him to attend college and ultimately the University of Minnesota where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. 

After graduating, Ken began a long career as an engineer working at General Motors in Michigan where he developed new steering concepts and an early exhaust pump to meet the new emission standards. Ken spent most of his career at 3M in Maplewood, Minnesota where he earned many patents and awards for technical innovation, especially in optics and telecommunications. He retired from 3M after 35 years as a senior Specialist. 

In 1962, Ken met the love of his life Sharon in Ranier, Minnesota, and they soon married, had five children across two decades, and eventually five grandchildren. Ken and Sharon spent their early years in Saginaw, Michigan before moving back to Minnesota, settling in Roseville, then Chisago City where they lived in their log house on a hill for 46 years before Sharon’s passing in 2024. They spent much of their later years enjoying boating, fishing, and their cabin on Rainy Lake, always filled with family and friends. After Sharon’s passing from Alzheimer’s disease, Ken moved to a senior community in Stillwater, Minnesota, where he started a new chapter. He enjoyed his new friends, participating in many activities and loved playing poker “just for chips.” 

Ken was a devoted, kind, good-natured, and very generous soul who will be deeply missed by his children, grandchildren, and all who knew and loved him. We are heartbroken our beloved “hyvä poika” has left us, but consoled that he has rejoined his beloved Sharon in eternity. 

A celebration of Ken’s life 11 AM Saturday, October 25 with visitation beginning at 10 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, 28005 Old Towne Rd, Chisago City, MN 55013. Interment at South Green Lake Cemetery, Chisago City. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association. Ken’s family would like to honor his struggle as primary caregiver to his beloved Sharon who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Ken wanted to continue the fight to end this terrible illness in Sharon’s name: Donate via Sharon Kay Aho Tribute page (on behalf of Ken Aho)

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