Kenneth J. Priest
Died August 7, 2019
LAKE LEELANAU
– Kenneth James Priest, 77, of Lake Leelanau, passed away Wednesday,
August 7, 2019, at the Villa at Traverse Point.
Ken was born
May 12, 1942, in Traverse City, the son of Alfred and Rita (Couturier) Priest, and
the first of their seven children.
Growing up on
the family farm, Ken honed a meticulous eye for detail that would land
him his first
part-time job, doing photo retouching at the dining room table. He applied
that same meticulous
eye and love for his family by regularly detailing his and his
parents’ cars.
For most of his adult life, Ken worked
as a skilled machinist in the tool
and die
industry, where his precision earned him a reputation for artistry.
Ken had a
great love for listening to and playing music, always having music playing in
the
background. He was said to be “the best
polka dancer in two counties.” Ken took
great joy in
hosting parties and relished the company of friends and family. He
treasured
gardening and created glorious landscapes filled with flowers.
Ken had a wry
sense of humor and loved to laugh. He had a passionate, strong personality
and wasn’t afraid to tell you what he thought. This was balanced by a good heart that
felt suffering deeply and reached out to others in need.
Ken was born
into a large extended family and he appreciated all the relationships
which came
with that. Any random local event could
turn into a family reunion. He
attentively
kept up on family news and enjoyed staying connected through cards and
letters.
Ken is
survived by his two children, Jeremy (Genevieve) Priest and Jennifer Schaff;
four
siblings,
Sandy (Fred) Stasiukinas, Elaine (Richard) Bailey, Bert Priest, and John
(Kathy)
Priest; two grandchildren, Leo and Xavier Priest; and many loving nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, Larry Priest and Yvonne Denoyer.
Visitation
will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. with the Rosary at 7 PM
on Friday, August 16 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. The Funeral
Mass will be at 11 a.m. on
Saturday,
August 17, with the family greeting friends at 10 AM,
at St. Mary’s Church of
Lake Leelanau.
Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery will be
held at a later date. Father Bryan
Medlin will serve
as celebrant.
Memorials may
be directed to the Priest Family.
Please share condolences with
Ken’s family below or on our Facebook Page.
So sorry to hear of Ken,s
ReplyDeletePassing. He was a fun guy n gentle soul.
Rubi (Korson) n Chip Schaub
As one of Kens cousins I’am sorry to hear of the passing of him. He was always up beat and comical with me, lots of laughs for both of us. He enjoyed the artsy things of which he liked to collect. Loved being around people, particularly family. We will miss him. May he rest in peace. Allen Gross , Joshua and Jane Scott
ReplyDeleteWe were saddened to hear of the loss of Ken our cousin. Whenever he traveled downstate to visit my Dad and the relatives, I made sure I went to see him. Always a smile on his face and a joke to crack! I also did have the opportunity to see at times that he did indeed could Polka! Ken had a big heart and was so kind to my Dad, sisters and I. He always welcomed us and was a great Priest family ambassador. He will be missed. Love, Kathy and Kevin Treece and family
ReplyDeleteKen was a school classmate and good friend. We also worked together for a time in tool and die. He was always a lot of fun to be with and he will be greatly missed. John Bussey
ReplyDeleteKen was my uncle and was one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteOur condolences to Ken's family on his passing. Glenn and his family were great friends of Ken and his family growing up, then into adulthood. The tragic accident that took brother Larry shattered everyone who knew him. Then later Al's, Rita's and Yvonne's deaths were hard again. But in between, there was laughter and good times, parties and fun! I taught at Leland HS and was privileged to get to know best both Yvonne and John. Then at some point Ken and my Aunt Kelly were united in marriage which gave me and my family two great cousins, Jennifer and Jeremy! So very many connections with the Priest family over the span of many many decades, all brought untold blessings to all of us. Then after many painful years, and through lots of prayer and faith on his behalf, Ken was given relief in a calm passing and a peaceful entering into Eternity. May he now enjoy the rest he so deserved with our Lord, and may his children and wonderful grandchildren, and siblings be granted many blessings.
ReplyDeleteWith much love and prayers,
Judy and Glenn
Ken was a great and sweet man glad he had come into my lifa !
ReplyDelete