Kenneth’s Obituary Kenneth J. Gorze, 89, Minot, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019 at Trinity Hospital in Minot. Kenneth John Gorze was born August 11, 1929, the son of Amil and Emma (Engelson) Gorze, in Minot. He was raised on the family farm in the South Prairie area and graduated from Model High School.
His first job was washing milk bottles for 10 cents an hour at a local creamery during the 8th grade. After high school, Ken enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was honorably discharged June 20, 1949.
During his junior year of high school, Ken met his sweetheart Phyllis E. Loughead. They were married on April 8, 1951, at First Lutheran Church in Minot. They made their home in the Minot area, where Ken briefly worked as a milkman before he joined the Great Northern Railway as a brakeman.
During his career, Ken became a brakeman/conductor for BNSF before retiring after 42 years of service. While employed in the railroad industry full time, he began working as a realtor for Minot Realty, now known as Coldwell Banker 1st Minot Realty, Inc, which was the start of a successful 40+ year career in real estate. Ken was a member of the Elks, Eagles, Railroad Association, and First Lutheran Church.
Ken had a life-long passion for cars which were always a very big part of his life. He loved the thrill of looking for that next great deal. Ken will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
His loving family includes: children, Kimberly (Eugene) Hauck, Minot, Gregory (Teri) Gorze, Fargo, and Jeffory (Lolly) Gorze, Minot; grandchildren, Johan (Melissa) Korslien, Jordan (Amy) Korslien, Jacob Korslien, Kyle Gorze, Erin Gorze (Luke Bergeson), Alexander Gorze (Chazlynn Donovan), Nicholas Gorze (Courtney Haycraft), and Landon Kenneth Gorze; great-grandchildren, Zoey and Stella Korslien; brothers-in-law, Del (Carol) Loughead, and William Kickert; sisters-in-law, Barbara (Tom) Bertino, and Yvonne Christenson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Phyllis (who passed away July 22, 2006); son-in-law, Vernon Korslien; brothers, Alvin and Leo Gorze; sisters, Mabel Rovig and Edith Reigstad; and sister-in-law, Sylvia Kickert, Visitation: There will be no reviewal, but friends may sign the register book on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot. Prayer Service: Friday at 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Funeral: Saturday, March 23, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, Minot. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot, ND. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to an organization of the donor’s choice.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
