Kenneth J. Friendshuh

Kenneth Friendshuh, of Shakopee, entered the Kingdom of Heaven on November 25, 2024 at the age of 77. He was a great man who lived life to its fullest and will be missed by all who loved him.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (833 S. Marschall Rd) in Shakopee. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 12:00 PM with a visitation from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM at the Parish of Saints Joachim & Anne – Marystown Church (15850 Marystown Rd) in Shakopee. Family and friends who can't attend in-person are welcome to livestream the service at the following link: Kenneth J. Friendshuh Mass. Father Frankie Floeder will preside, and Ken’s sons and grandsons will act as pallbearers. Ken will be laid to rest at Marystown Catholic Cemetery.

On April 22, 1947, Kenneth John Friendshuh was born on the original Friendshuh farm in Bloomington, MN. He was the third of 16 (and the first son) born to Claud and Mary Ann (Christian) Friendshuh. In the early 1950’s, Ken’s family moved onto their own farm in Marystown. As the eldest boy, Ken was responsible for many things on the farm, and he always set a wonderful example for his siblings. He was strong, honest, reliable and had an unwavering faith. As a boy, Ken enjoyed spending time with friends and playing baseball but spent most of his time working on the family farm.

While attending Guardian Angels High School, Ken met the love of his life, Carol Radermacher. Ken and Carol exchanged wedding vows on August 12, 1967. Their marriage was blessed with many happy years and six wonderful boys. They settled in Shakopee, where Ken pursued a career in plumbing, after his uncles encouraged him to learn the trade. He studied at Dunwoody and began an apprenticeship with his uncle Gary. Ken was a skilled plumber and worked very hard over the years, until he retired. He was active in his local union and often mentored other young plumbers entering the industry.

In his free time, Ken loved being outdoors. He was an avid hunter, fisher and gardener. He took many deer hunting trips to Northern Minnesota with his sons and brothers, and he ventured to Canada and Alaska several times to hunt moose and fish for salmon and halibut with extended family. One of the most memorable trips Ken ever took was a Boundary Waters canoe camping trip with all of his sons… it was quite the adventure!

Ken also enjoyed taking long walks, tending his vegetable garden, bowling, playing cards (especially cribbage and sheepshead) and relaxing with a good book. He became active in marathon walks to support cancer research and was so proud to have completed full marathon walks in San Diego and Dublin, Ireland. Butchering on the farm was a family tradition that Ken enjoyed tremendously. He loved preparing meals with the foods he harvested, especially on the grill. 

Everything Ken did was centered around his family. He was so proud to be a dad and grandpa and loved passing on traditions to the next generations. He made sure each of his boys had a Monarch Butterfly cage and found joy in watching his grandchildren experience caterpillars transform into butterflies. His happiest days were when his family was all together. Ken absolutely loved the big family get-togethers that included the extended family too.

Faith was a guiding light in Ken’s life. He was very involved and active in the church. One of his proudest moments was getting the role of Jesus in the passion play his church put on every year - his family thinks he was the best man for the job! Ken was also known for all the work he did expanding the raffle for the church festival. For many years he read scripture during service and participated in late night perpetual adoration.

In recent years, Ken was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Despite the many challenges this presented, he continued living life to the fullest. Ken will be remembered as a kind, generous and faithful man, who loved the Lord and his family with all of his heart. 

Ken is survived by his loving wife, Carol Friendshuh; sons, Chris (Janet) Friendshuh, Ted (Jodi) Friendshuh, Dan Friendshuh, Andrew (Mandy) Friendshuh and Eddie Friendshuh; daughter-in-law, Nancy Friendshuh; grandchildren, Adam (Theresa), Adriana (Matt), Benjamin, Dominic, Carter, Colton, Cameron, Madisson, Brooke, Stella, Willa, Arayah, Amos, Austin and Anthony; great-grandkids, Adelyn & Ella; siblings, Gin, Jerry, Jim, Bob, Larry, Ernie, Donny, Ray, Kathy, Mary, Paul, Elaine and Theresa; other loving relatives and many dear friends. Ken was greeted in Heaven by his son, Tony Friendshuh; parents, Claud & Mary Ann Friendshuh; siblings, Betty and Joe.