On December 14, 2023, God called his faithful servant, Kenneth Alan DuBois, home. He was 82. Ken was born on July 13, 1941, in the farming community of Agra, Kansas to Howard and Dorothy (Larson) DuBois.
After graduating from Agra High School (with a class of 13), he attended Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, KS to pursue a degree in education. He paid part of his tuition by singing in a traveling quartet. Ken sang in the Wesleyan choir, as did a fellow student named Janet Widrig. After engaging in a staring contest on the choir bus (there are debates about who won), they became an item. They married on August 1, 1965, in her hometown of Beloit, KS.
Ken earned a Masters Degree in Education from Colorado State College in 1969. He taught in Salina USD 305 for 34 years, the majority of his career as a Physical Education instructor at Sunset Elementary.
Though a teacher by trade, Ken had the gift of excellent carpentry and handyman skills. He worked after school and in the summers doing projects for those who called for his services, and there were many. He could fix or build just about anything.
Ken was a member of the Salina AMBUCs for more than 50 years. In 2013, he began using his carpentry skills to help lead the team of volunteers that builds ramps for those in need. At the time of his passing, they had installed more than 600 ramps.
Ken sang in the Trinity United Methodist Church choir, as well as participated in countless service opportunities there, for more than 60 years.
Though he became a “city boy” after leaving Agra, farming never left his blood. He helped his father with harvest until he passed in 1990, and then his only brother, Keith, until he retired in 2022. He was also keenly aware of the weather and forecast at all times.
Ken’s hobbies included music, (both participating and listening), traveling, reading, playing cards, and rooting for Kansas State and the Chiefs…sometimes raising his voice in an “encouraging” manner. He also immensely enjoyed spending time with his family and watching his grandchildren participate in their various activities.
More important than his resume is the fact that Ken was considered by those who knew him to be a kind, humble, generous man of integrity who fiercely loved God, his wife, family and community.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janet, daughters Jodi Bertram (Brice) of Shawnee, KS, Jill Heidrick (Jeff), of Lenexa, KS, grandchildren Elise Heidrick, Emery Heidrick, Evan Bertram, Brant Bertram, brother Keith DuBois (Sharon) of Quinter, KS, as well as many nieces and nephews and many friends.
Ken requested cremation. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, December 21, 2pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, 901 Neal in Salina. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Trinity United Methodist Church, the Salina AMBUC chapter, or Kansas Wesleyan University, care of Ryan Mortuary, Salina.