Ken Blumberg, age 71 of Eden Prairie (formerly of Prior Lake), passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023 following a tragic accident.
A public gathering of family and friends will be held at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (833 S. Marschall Road) in Shakopee on Sunday, May 7, 2023 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon with a private family service to follow. Ken will be laid to rest at St. Michael Cemetery in Prior Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Ken’s honor by his family.
On January 15, 1952, Ed and Ethel Blumberg welcomed the fourth of their six children, Kenneth John Blumberg, to the world. Ken grew up in the Prior Lake area with his siblings and attended Prior Lake area schools. His family has many fond memories with him playing, hunting, and of family trips “up north” for an annual trip to a cabin on Lake George. From a young age, Ken was a gifted athlete. He played football, basketball, and baseball for Prior Lake High School, and was consistently an “All Conference” player. He was a particularly talented catcher for the baseball team; and upon graduating from high school, brought his talents to the Mankato State University baseball team. He played baseball for Mankato State while getting his forestry degree. Ken was later inducted into the Mankato State Baseball Hall of Fame for his achievements.
Upon graduation from Mankato, Ken worked as a forestry apprentice and picked up a side job painting homes; he quickly learned that he had a knack for the work and decided to make a career of it! His strong, industrious work ethic led him to great success. Ken’s work ethic extended to his physical fitness as well. He ate well and exercised daily. While working out at the Burnsville Racket Club, he crossed paths with Karen, and the rest was history. The pair were married in 2002.
Through their marriage, Ken welcomed Karen’s children Andy and Karenea into his life. He loved them dearly and treated them as his own. As Andy and Karenea got older, Ken was blessed to become “Papa” to his 5 grandchildren. He was delighted to spend time with them, particularly hunting and fishing.
Ken was a lifelong sports fan, and liked watching the Cardinals and Twins- if he was out and about with family or friends, he made sure to ask them to “turn on the Twins”! He was also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying many trips hunting deer with his brothers in Minnesota, Colorado, Saskatchewan and Wisconsin for the past 25 years. Ken also made countless fishing trips with family and friends.
Above all, Ken was a kind, loving, and considerate man. He made an impact on everyone he met, and will forever be missed by his loving wife, Karen Blumberg; children, Andy (Amanda) Peterson and Karenea (Alex) Lai; grandchildren, Zachary and Cassandra Peterson, Katelyn, Kailey and Austin Lai; siblings, Jan Rahbain, Glady (Ben) Pahl, Tom (Cheryl) Blumberg, Carol Ferrier and Dan Blumberg; beloved dog, Meka; many nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and many dear friends.
Greeting him home in Heaven are his parents, Ed and Ethel Blumberg; and nephew, Joshua Olson.
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Karen Blumberg
Ken was our world. He came into our lives and was the best thing that ever happened to our family. He had the biggest heart, was kind, loving, generous the hardest worker we ever knew. He will be missed so much. Love you now an forever . May you be at peace. ❤️
Jo Marqauardt
My deepest sympathy to the Blumberg family.
Hip Schmitz
Great guy.My sympathy. Hip
Pam (Green) Busse
My deepest sympathy to all of you during this very difficult time
Kiersten Poulton
Ken was a great man. We were neighbors to him for almost four years, always had nice conversations with him and we always made sure his driveway was plowed first in the winter. I am so sorry for this tragic loss, even in the small amount we knew him he definitely won’t be forgotten. Peace and love to his friends and family.
Colleen Martel
Mr Rogers said in troubling times or if people are in need, “look for the helpers.” Ken was always there to help! He was a kind, gentle helper. Ken was devoted to Karen, Andy, Karenea & doted on his five grandchildren. He loved being in nature whether walking with Karen & their dog, Meka, in the “swamp”, hunting/fishing with his brother Tom or just mowing the lawn. As a brother in law, Ken was the best! We’ll miss him deeply!
Larry Tousignant
Kenny Blumberg was special. Not only a great athlete, he was a wonderful friend and tremendously loyal to his family. Kenny was the kind of person you liked to be around. He had a great sense of humor and author of many “Kenny Blumberg” sayings. He will be so missed by so many. I offer my condolences to all his friends and family.
Jim Langenecker
Ken will be truly missed by me and others in hunting camp in Wisconsin. Ken and brother Tom were so much fun to be with and we had many laughs together and made some incredible memories.
Rest in peace my friend!
Jim Langenecker
Sherri Olson
Ken is a kind, hard working man. He was a helper and talented painter. When we moved back to MN he painted our town home and made it feel fresh and new. When it was time to sell our mother’s home he helped get it ready and transformed the look with the beautiful painting he did. My Brother -In Law will be deeply missed and had painted his heart on our hearts. We love you Ken, thanks for always being there for the family and sharing your love and kindness with my sister and the whole family. May you be blessed with God’s eternal blessings and rest in peace! Love from Sherri and Bill Olson
Joni Sheehan Springer
I grew up with Kenny , he was our neighbor through early grade school. He was a kind soul. It’s just so hard to have him leave in this way. My prayers and love goes to Kenny’s entire family .
Joni (Sheehan ) Springer
Darlene Richardson
My deepest sympathy to the Blumberg family and Tom and Cheryl!! Praying for you all at this time
Elmer Hartmann
I remember Gene Nei had me wrestle Ken in Phy-Ed WOW that was one and done. May the blessings of the lord be upon Ken. Rest in peace. Elmer Hartmann, Hamburg MN
Kathy Roach Bennett
I’m sorry to heat of the loss of a wonderful and respectful man. He was a man of many talents. Peace and comfort to all.
Peggy Tierney
So hard. I’m thinking of you and sending prayers and love. I would be there if I were in town. Lots of love, Peg
Marybeth Buchele
Karen,
I remember your wedding, it was great fun. And you were so gracious to also invite my dad, who was visiting us then.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Take care, dear heart!
Marybeth Buchele
Diane Semling
My sincere condolences to all who were close to Ken.
Ken & Tom were one of our first clients when we started our hunting business more than 25 years ago. What started out as a client relationship soon turned out to be a great friendship and an extended part of our family.
Ken will be truly missed, and his absence will be felt by all.
Thoughts and prayers are with Ken’s family and friends today and always.
Diane Semling
Lisa and Bharathi Jagadeesan
Our heartfelt condolences to your family Karen. We wish your family peace and comfort.