Mass of Christian Burial for Kenneth John Ken Holmstrom, 83 year-old Weatherford, Oklahoma resident, will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. in St. Eugene Catholic Church with Father Christopher Tran officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.

Ken was born June 25, 1928 to Gustav and Eda (Carlson) Holmstrom in Hastings, Minnesota, the seventh of ten children, and passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at Corn Heritage Village in Corn, Oklahoma. Ken attended Hastings Public Schools, St. Paul Vocational Trade School, and the University of Minnesota. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served 11 months in Korea as a Staff Sergeant, setting up electrical facilities for the Generals.

Ken married Carol Socha on September 15, 1951 in Saint Paul Park, Minnesota. They were blessed with four children, Jane, JoAnn, John, and Mark. Through the years, the family enjoyed vacationing at their cabin on Big Round Lake in Wisconsin. After moving to Weatherford in 1968, the familys passion turned to camping throughout western Oklahoma in their Airstream trailer in addition to several cross-country mega-trips. Ken was a strong role model with admirable qualities. His children grew up knowing they WOULD receive a college degree no options there! Ken was a people person who taught his children that Getting along with people is a tremendously important aspect of life.

Kens career with 3M Company spanned 43 years, from an entry level apprentice electrician at the Chemolite Plant in Hastings, Minnesota, to Plant Engineer in Weatherford, Oklahoma, to Plant Engineering Manager in Austin, Texas. Ken had a passion for mentoring and was respected by all who worked with him. His integrity, fairness, affinity for hard work, and straight forward manner are most notably remembered. He was instrumental in building many 3M plants, particularly those in Weatherford, Oklahoma and Austin, Texas.

Ken retired in June 1991 and he and Carol chose to spend their retirement years in Weatherford, Oklahoma, a community of many wonderful friends, acquaintances, co-workers and church family. He was very giving of his time and along with his excellent electrical skills and logical mind, he could fix just about anything for anybody. Ken loved his family and his grandchildren and enjoyed recruiting them to help on his many projects. There was always a project. Ken will forever be remembered by family and friends for his great sense of humor. His many stories and jokes continue on. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice or St. Eugene Catholic Church.

Ken is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol of their home in Weatherford, Oklahoma; daughters, Jane Roberts of Weatherford, Oklahoma and JoAnn Jodi Holmstrom of Edmond, Oklahoma; sons, John Holmstrom and partner, Chad McCarty of Wildwood, Missouri and Mark Holmstrom and wife, Teri of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren, Clay Roberts, Allie Holmstrom, Sara Roberts, and Kent Holmstrom; four sisters; three brothers, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; and one granddaughter. The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of Corn Heritage Village in Corn and Integris Western Oklahoma Hospice.