Kenneth Dale Lumbert

Taken from those he loved much too soon, Kenneth Lumbert leaves a lasting imprint on the hearts of all those within his reach. He was a vibrant and fun-loving man who took every day captive and made it his own. With the love of his life by his side for 37 years, Ken was an integral part of raising his daughter to become the outstanding young woman who was the light of his life. It was abundantly clear that there was no greater joy in his life than spending time with his family, and as the sort of man who would do anything for anyone Ken was always looking for ways he could lighten someone elses load. A man of great character, sound principles, and unending love, his memory will remain forever near and dear to all our hearts. The decade of the 1950s was a colorful time in our nations history laced with countless changes that transformed the cultural fabric of America. Blue jeans became a staple in our wardrobe while more and more television sets were becoming part of American homes. Legends like Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis entertained us while movies such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and A Streetcar Named Desire brought people to theaters all across our great land. It was as this decade dawned that a young family from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, was overjoyed to welcome a healthy baby boy into their hearts and home on November 6, 1950. Baby Kenneth was one of three boys born to his parents, Archie and Alice (Ludwig) Lumbert, and was raised in the family home alongside his brothers, Richard and Larry. His father worked at Dow Chemical while his mother worked at Vics Food Center for ten years, and she later spent a few years at Sears. For the most part Ken experienced an upbringing that was reflective of the times. He loved playing baseball and shared a special relationship with his father. There were countless things that Ken learned about thanks to his dad including his love for hunting. They went rabbit hunting together, sometimes heading up to Ralph, Michigan, located in the Upper Peninsula to hunt. They also frequently hunted in Clare. Ken and his father regularly brought rabbits and turtles home to give to his friends who needed them in order to feed their families. When he was old enough to drive Ken had a 65 mustang that he truly loved, and he also worked at Vics Food Center in order to earn a little extra spending money. As a student Ken attended local schools, graduating from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1968. For a time he attended Mid Michigan Community College, but he was drafted into the Army in 1970. While home on leave from the military Ken was in a car accident, which landed him in a Washington, D.C. hospital for over six months. Once he was fully recovered he was sent directly to Vietnam. While there he served as a side door gunner, transporting top secret military documents. Later in 1971 Ken was discharged. New and exciting changes were in store for Ken when he met the young woman with whom he would write an eloquent love story. Her name was Kimberlee Henkel, and they met at Wayside Central Bar on St. Patricks Day. They got stuck in a snowstorm when taking their friends home that night and ended up spending the whole night talking while they were stranded. Having gotten to know each other well, a dating relationship followed. After falling deeply in love they were married on February 21, 1975, in Mt. Pleasant. Together they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Courtney. In order to support his family Ken worked as a journeyman electrician for Dow Chemical for over 30 years, retiring in 2003. As a father Ken was second to none as he was an active part of his daughters life. He taught her the ins and outs of fishing including how to pick up a worm and how to bait a hook. The first time Courtney went fishing was a time they never forgot as she caught a turtle! Ken mentored her in bowling from the time she was just four years old, and he also coached her in softball from t-ball all the way through high school. He even took his daughter and the dog out and demonstrated how to make a beagle run a rabbit. Ken was also available to help with Courtneys school work and taught her invaluable math skills. As a family they rode the ferry to Wisconsin when Courtney was a young girl, and they took trips up to Manistique in the Upper Peninsula at times. When his daughter later married, Ken became the father to his son-in-law that Scott never had. Through the years the two became the best of friends. Priceless memories were made when Ken and his wife along with Courtney and her husband went upstairs to listen to old reel-to-reel recordings of radio broadcasts that Ken recorded in Vietnam. Although his daughter was his pride and joy, Ken treasured his wife more than anything else. They were true soul mates who were rarely apart. Ken and Kim shared many of the same interests and simply enjoyed living life alongside one another. Throughout his life Ken was a man of many interests. He played softball during the seventies and early eighties, and he was also a lifelong bowler and member of the United States Bowling Congress. Ken loved the Detroit Red Wings and was also a faithful Lions fan. In his down time he enjoyed watching old Westerns starring Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, and when it came to television he usually watched the History Channel or the Stock Market Channel. Ken had a special place in his heart for animals and taught his blue crown conure how to say, What the hell. We will remember Kenneth Lumbert for his positive outlook on life, his free spirit, and his generous heart, but most of all we will remember his unending love for and devotion to his family. He was a bit of a kid at heart who always wanted to be known as Ken the Kid, and he never took even one day for granted. Although his friends and loved ones would have loved more time with him, their lives will be forever changed for the better because of his touch. Ken Lumbert died on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Kens family includes his wife, Kim; children, Courtney and Scott Martin of Mt. Pleasant; his best little buddy, Nito; mother, Alice Lumbert of Mt. Pleasant; brother, Richard (Annie) Lumbert of Mt. Pleasant; two sisters-in-law, Diane (Ron) Buchko of Chase and Marilyn Lumbert of Midland; and several nieces and nephews. A private family service will be held with cremation following.