Once in a rare moment in time a child is born & grows into a successful, highly driven & extremely intelligent person.  This was the case with Kenneth Dale Artz.

On July 21, 1947 the fifth & youngest child was born at his family home, 10 miles north of Phillipsburg, KS to Orville & Iva (Coffin) Artz.  Ken's father was finishing his wheat harvest when their newest addition was born.  Grandmom said it was a hot & sultry day.

Kenneth attended Labelle one room school house with other country children.  He helped the other children with their math & his duties were to make the fire & carry the water.  After 8 ^th grade, he attended Eastern Heights High School in Agra, KS where he graduated Valedictorian of his class.

After high school, Ken decided to attend Fort Hays State University where he utilized his scholarships in Math & Business Administration.  During that time, he decided to finish his Master's degree in both subjects.  In the summers, Ken worked at the CO-OP refinery cleaning the big tanks. He would drive his Bridgestone 125 cc. motorcycle back & forth to school & work.  He also helped his father on the family farm.

On December 20, 1970, Ken married his little sweetheart, Linda Groom.  On August 10, 1977, the family was joined with a beautiful baby boy William which completed their family.  Between 1970 & 1972, The Artz's built a beautiful home in the country with a large garden, gazebo &  manicured landscaping.  It was a blessed & happy home.  Many family events with 14 or 15 relatives sitting around the dining room table for Sunday dinners were held there.

In 1983, Ken & Linda opened their home to a Swedish foreign exchange student, Ola Sjolander. He became part of their family, calling them Mom & Dad.  Ola, his wife Mika & their son John have Journied to Phillipsburg twice a year to spend time with Ken & Linda.

Ken often told me his "fun" in life was working.  He had many jobs.  He formulated "Munisoft" Plus, a municipality software that he sold to many cities in Kansas & Nebraska.

He was very active in Kiwanis International & became Lieutenant Governor of this district. Ken had a love for photography, taking many wedding pictures.  He wrote computer software in many languages for several companies & individual businesses. He was a wonderful father & husband who always wanted to help others & was very active in his church.  He was instrumental in organizing the Hot Wheels celebration in Speed.

In his heart, Ken was always a Phillipsburg advocate.  When KN Energy moved to Lakewood, CO, he held meetings & persuaded the shareholders to leave the building & business administration in Phillipsburg where many could keep their jobs.  He was General Manager of KN for many years.  In later years, he was an independent software contractor for Brooke Financial.   He then decided to buy land & start farming.  He started with used equipment but was eventually able to buy a new John Deere Tractor for Linda's birthday. So Artz Alfalfa was born.

On November 22, 2016, Ken & Linda's precious son Willie passed away suddenly.  He was a counselor at Hope By The Sea in California where he helped hundreds of people get their life back from alcohol & drug addiction. After Willie's death, Linda said it was like watching a beautiful race horse lie down & not get back up.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, son Willie, brothers: Warren, Harold & Loren & his sister Faith.

Survivors include his wife Linda of the home; sister-in-law Jackie Horacek & husband Steve of Almena & numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces & great nephews.

Ken loved his Lord & Savior & most people loved him for his kindness & caring spirit. Ken Had a life well lived.  His motto was: "Remember this your lifetime through. Tomorrow there will be more to do, and failure waits for all who stay.  With some success made yesterday, tomorrow you must try once more & even harder than before."

Cremation was chosen.  A memorial service will be held Friday, Dec. 4 at 2:00 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Dan Klinger officiating. The services will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Community Foundation.