Kenneth Bourn 11/15/2024

Kenneth L BOURN
July 1943 – November 2024
Ken Bourn had been battling cancer for over a year, but it took him from us on 15 November.
Ken was born and spent his early childhood in Downing, Dunn County, Wisconsin. He was born to Arthur Edwin and Marian Jean (SNEEN) BOURN. He loved fishing and riding the horses and cows, but also worked hard helping his dad tend to the farm and animals. Sometimes he’d get called home early from school to help- especially if the cows got out.
By middle school- he had moved with his family to Mendota Heights and he completed high school and attended college in the twin cities- Augsburg University and the U of MN, studying music. He met Mary Thomas at Sibley HS- they married in 1964. They both enjoyed playing and were music majors in college.
Soon after they married, Ken was called to serve with the Army, going to boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He served two years at Fort Sheridan (Chicago, IL) with the 5th Army Headquarters band. Ken and Mary lived in Evanston- where she taught music. The rest of his time in the Army was at Fort Eustis, VA and Fort Lewis, WA. After his time with the Army, Ken and Mary moved to St. Paul, MN. He initially worked with his dad building garages, then with his dad and brother Kelly in their seamless flooring business, and also worked for many years at Crawford Door Company. Ken and Mary primarily lived in Inver Grove Heights- where they raised their 3 children- Bryan, Bradley, and Barbara. He built their family home- a custom built house from one end to the other, with custom cabinets in almost every room. While they lived here, they had horses, chickens, and gardens.
Ken moved from Minnesota to River Falls, Wisconsin in the early 1990s- where he met Marion (Huenken) Jorgenson. They married in 2002. Ken loved River Falls- he often said if he couldn’t find it in River Falls- maybe he didn’t need it.
Ken enjoyed motorcycling, sailing/boating, and flying! Over the years- he had many different vehicles- learning the ins and outs of each- and teaching others- so they could share his passion for them. He enjoyed travelling for the journey and for hobbies- group motorcycles trips, air show performances and more.
Between work at Crawford Door, where he installed and repaired all types of commercial doors/gates/alarms/systems/etc, and all of his vehicles (and toys)- there weren’t any issues he couldn’t fix. He also enjoyed being able to troubleshoot remotely once he could see photos and schematics sent to him with cell phones or video calls.
Ken is survived by his wife Marion; children Bryan Bourn (Jordan, MN), Bradley Bourn (Custer, MT), and Barbara (John) Bauer-Chen (Menomonie, WI); stepchildren Bob and Linda Jorgenson and their families; grandchildren Amrin Bourn, Danielle Bauer, Sarah Bauer, Cody Chen, and Jamison Chen; and brothers Chuck and Bob Bourn. Countless other dear family members and friends will miss his warm nature and sense of humor immensely! He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kelly Bourn, and sisters Patricia Farrington and Sharon (Russ) Lunak.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday 21 December, 2024 between 2:00-5:00 pm at American Legion Post 121 (701 South Main Street) in River Falls, WI. Please bring a memory or joke to share!
Cremation services provided by Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.