It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Kenneth (Ken) Robert Lunn, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Ken passed away July 18, 2022, at his home in Red Deer, AB, at the age of 78 years, in the loving care of his wife and daughter.

Ken’s memory will be forever cherished by his wife, Marlene; son Brett, daughter Karen (Mark), and stepdaughter Tara (James); his much-loved grandchildren Sydney, Lucas, Lily, Ainsley, Sadie, Carys, and Declan; sister-in-law Deanna and brother-in-law Bill; five nieces and nephews; and numerous great nieces and great nephews. Ken is predeceased by his father Francis, mother Mary, first wife Nancy, and brother Don.

Ken was born on September 7, 1943, in Radway, AB, to Francis “Frank Jr” and Mary Lunn. Ken spent much of his youth alongside his brother Don catching snakes, helping on his aunt and uncle’s farm, and generally stirring up trouble. At the age of 19, Ken knew he wanted to travel the world, so he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy, completing his service in 1964 with a circumnavigation on the HMCS Mackenzie and HMCS St. Laurent. Ken settled in Sherwood Park and married Nancy in 1968, followed soon after by the arrival of Brett in 1968 and Karen in 1971.

Never one to pass up the opportunity to travel, the family moved to Iran in the mid 1970s where Ken worked as a field operator and then as an engineer for Schlumberger. After their year in Iran, Ken took a break from work to travel with the family through western Europe, visiting ten countries. Upon returning to Canada, Ken’s adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit had the family moving from Sherwood Park to Red Deer. He left Schlumberger and started his own business, Cranemaster. Ken grew the business to international recognition, and when he sold the company in the late 1980s, he was ready for his next opportunity: that came as a salesman with Glover International. During his time with Glover International, Ken earned numerous awards and recognition, including, more than once, the prestigious President’s Club.

In 1991, Ken met Marlene and the family grew. It took another fourteen years, but once all their children were married, they decided it was their turn, and made it “official” in a small wedding ceremony in their home in 2004.

Ken was dedicated to his work, but also to his community, and would serve in many ways over the decades: as scout leader, minor hockey sponsor, girls softball director, volunteer for the Red Deer freestyle ski team, volunteer for the 1988 Olympics in Calgary, loyal donor and supporter of Ducks Unlimited, and perhaps most proudly in his service as an Optimist Club member, where he served in different capacities throughout the years and achieved the status of Lifetime Member. Ken lived his life by a strong moral code and personified the attributes of the Optimist’s Creed.

After “retiring” from sales, Ken’s leisure time was filled first by selling RVs then by working with his nephews at D&M Concrete as the safety supervisor. He finally retired for good in 2018. Outside of work and community commitments, Ken continued to love to travel and saw him and Marlene making annual trips to Hawaii, as well as cruises and trips with friends and family throughout Canada and the United States.

Ken was the epitome of a people person, comfortable in any setting and knowledgeable in just about everything. He had a way of putting people at ease and a genuine smile and laugh that everyone looked forward to in all their interactions with him. Over the years, Ken and Marlene’s home became the centre for social events, from grad parties and birthdays to farewell parties, luaus, and holiday events. Ken took great pride in his yard and garden. He loved sharing its bounty with family and friends, and especially his grandchildren: showing them how to water the garden, helping them to pick raspberries, and hanging and changing the tree swing multiple times over just to see them laugh and play. Ken loved when the grandkids would visit and took any opportunity to share their latest news and accomplishments with anyone who would listen.

Ken was respected, admired, and loved by all, and he will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, July 29, 2022, at Eventide Funeral Chapel. If you cannot join us in person, please use this link by copying and pasting it to join us livestream: https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/57548. If you wish to make a tribute in Ken’s name, please email the family at tributes.for.kenny@smitix.com.

Eventide Funeral Chapel
4820 45 Street
Red Deer, AB
T4N 1K5

Viewing 12:00–1:00 pm
Service 1:00 pm
Reception with light snacks to follow at the chapel.

Guests staying in town are invited to join the family for a light lunch, coffee, and conversation at the house on Saturday, July 30, from 12:00–2:00 pm. Please ask a family member for address details.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to STARS Air Ambulance.

Suite 100, 1519 35 Avenue East
Edmonton International Airport, AB
T9E 0V6

• Date : 2022-07-22
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home