Kenneth Dean 'Ken' Mendenhall, 92, formerly of Hutchinson, died August 5, 2018, at St. Mary's Hospital, Grand Junction, Colorado. Ken was born January 4, 1926, on his family farm near Paola, KS, where he grew up, to June and Lois Irene (Stephens) Mendenhall.

Ken graduated from Paola High School in 1944. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and was trained as a gunner. Ken was on a ship to the Philippines when World War II came to an end. After the war, he returned to Paola where he helped out on the farm and also worked engraving headstones. After a year or two, Ken decided to utilize his GI Bill and attended The Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1951. It was at The Kansas State Teachers College where he met his wife, June 'Louise' Stansel. They were married on graduation day, May 31, 1951, in Pittsburg, Kansas. She died March 30, 2013.

Ken and Louise worked as teachers living in Long Island, Columbus, Kinsley and Hill City, Kansas. Ken taught math and drafting. In 1956, he also received his Master of Arts from Colorado State College of Education, Greeley, Colorado. In 1968, Ken moved the family to Hutchinson, Kansas, where he was the Director of Data Processing for Hutchinson Community College until he retired in 1988.

Ken loved to travel and camping was a passion. For five summers, from 1963 to 1968, he worked as a seasonal Park Ranger at Yellowstone National Park. After Ken retired, he and Louise had a wonderful opportunity to travel full-time for four years in their RV before deciding to finally settle down in Mesa, AZ. In 2004, Ken and Louise moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, to be closer to family where they lived out the remaining time of their lives.

Ken Mendenhall will always be remembered for his sense of wonder, cheerfulness, and resourcefulness. He always had a smile on his face.

Ken is survived by: daughters, Mindy Boehm Walthers (Phil) of Mountain Green, Utah, Merrie Huschka (Bernard) of Garden City, Marcia Mendenhall of Grand Junction, Colorado; grandchildren, Jane Huschka, Anne Willis, Ellen Walter, Kate Huschka, Clark Walthers; and great-grandchildren, Rose Walter and Henry Hildebrand.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; brother, Keith Mendenhall; and sister, Helen Fort.

Cremation has taken place. Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, September 29, 2018, at Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to the Hutchinson Community College Endowment Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.