KENNETH MEADWELL

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Kenneth Meadwell, 84, of 611 Nelson St., on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances with his family at his side.
Ken was born Feb. 5, 1925 in Sioux Lookout, Ont., where he lived and attended school. He spent his early years as a Boy Scout and guided for the tourist camps in the area, where he developed his love of the outdoors and being on the lake.
At 16, he went to Winnipeg, Man. to apprentice as a machinist in the Transcona Shops for the CNR. He took a leave of absence at 18 to join the Royal Canadian Navy and served on escort ships on the East Coast until the war ended.
Upon his honourable discharge from the navy, Ken returned to Transcona to continue his apprenticeship. He completed his apprenticeship in Sioux Lookout and was promoted to assistant locomotive foreman.
He was happy to return to Sioux Lookout, where he had spent his younger years, and be reunited with his family and friends and enjoy the lakes that he loved so much. It was at this that time he helped his father build the family camp on Abrams Lake.
In 1948, Ken married his high school sweetheart, Kitty (Kate) Lindberg. They made their home in the wartime house in the east end of Sioux Lookout, where they began their family.
In 1956 Ken, his wife, and three children transferred to Kamsack, Sask., where two more children were added to the family. The family transferred again in 1960 to The Pas, Man.
Ken was widely-respected for his skills as a wrecking foreman, where he frequently was absent from home keeping the rail lines to Thompson and Churchill in service.
Ken’s last transfer was to Fort Frances. He considered Northwestern Ontario God’s country. He served as equipment foreman until his retirement from the CNR in 1985 after 43 years of service.
Throughout his career, Ken would bring his family back to enjoy summer vacations at the camp in Sioux Lookout.
After retirement, Ken and Kitty moved to Dryden, Ont., where he built a new house and continued his passion for planting trees. All past family homes are noted for their abundance of trees, shrubs, gazebos, and landscaping.
Ken loved his homes and family meant everything to him.
The last of many moves was back to Fort Frances in 1995 to be closer to family.
Kenneth is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kate; children, Charles (Diane), Linda Meadwell-Rivalin, Shelley (Leon) DeGagne, Bryan (Ann), and Bonny (Martin) Halket; and grandchildren, Kristen (Greg) Henry, Marc (Roxan) Meadwell, Ryan (Laura) Meadwell, Sean (Stacy) Rivalin, Garrett (Angela) Rivalin, Grant (Darah) Rivalin, Shanda (Daryl) Begin, Blaine (Angela) DeGagne, Matthew Meadwell, Douglas Meadwell, Alyssa Halket, Meghan Halket, Patrick Halket, and Andrew Halket.
He also was blessed with eight great-grandchildren, Anders, Alex, and Nevin Meadwell, Cole Henry, Kayla Rivalin and Tommy Rivalin, and Jesse and Kenzie Begin.
He also is survived by his adored sister, Ann (Ivan) Smith, and youngest brother, Alex; cousins, Joan Hall and Kathy Swanson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ken was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Elsie; brothers, Richard (HMCS Athabaska), Jack, and Fred; in-laws, Jacob and Matilda Lindberg; brothers-in-law, Kjell and Charles Lindberg; and sister-in-law, Iris Lindberg.
Cremation will take place in International Falls, Mn.
A celebration of Ken’s life will be held Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 10 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Rev.Diane Clifford officiating.
Internment will take place in the La Verendrye Columbarium at Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances at a later date.
The honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth’s grandchildren.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Fort Frances Community Chest, B2-RR#2, 1201 Idylwild Dr., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M3, Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc.–La Verendrye Hospital, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7, to the charity of your choice, or in care of Green Funeral Home, PO Box #427, Fort Frances, Ont. P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.mem.com