Kenneth Gordon Ostensen

Kenneth Gordon Ostensen, (Ken) born July 2nd, 1958 in Chicago Illinois, passed away peacefully on the early morning of December 28, 2024 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, surrounded by the love of his family. Ken was the first born son of Carol and Ralph Ostensen, and the eldest sibling of Robert Ostensen, Karen Ostensen, and Eric Ostensen. Ken married Lisa (Goebel) in Toledo, Ohio on May 9, 1992, and they spent 32 beautiful years together. Ken and Lisa shared and raised two daughters, Hannah, born February 24th, 1998, and Olivia, born December 11th, 2001. Ken was a family man who celebrated and instilled the gift of quality time with family through great meals, family vacations, and pensive conversation. 

Ken was born at Lutheran General hospital in Niles, IL and enjoyed a beautiful childhood in Morton Grove, Illinois a Chicago suburb. He attended grade school at St. Paul’s Lutheran school and graduated from Niles West High School in 1977. Ken and his siblings enjoyed playing sports, spending time on the water, and taking family vacations. Ken learned to hunt and fish at a young age and it continued to be one of his favorite things to do. Ken had several life long relationships from the St. Paul’s and Niles West days. Ken Jung, Dicky Hosanna, and Paul Peterson were just a few of the lifelong friendships he enjoyed from the early days of his life. 

Ken attended Northwood University in Midland, Michigan obtaining his Associates Degree in Business Administration. In his early career, Ken worked at gas stations, garages, and spent time at race tracks. In 1984, Ken was employed by Dana corporations and continued to work for the same company under various ownerships for 39 years until retirement in 2022. Ken was an admired businessman who built lasting and valued relationships throughout his appreciated career. He always stayed true to his word and followed through on his commitments with grace, composure, and a sense of humor. He was a cherished friend both inside and outside of the office and K.O.’s legacy will live on. 

Ken and his wife Lisa spent decades together traveling to different states as Ken's career soared. The two met at Dana Corporation in Toledo Ohio in 1991, and married one year later. They moved to Franklin, Tennessee in 1994 and later, Shakopee, Minnesota in 2003. Along the way, Ken and Lisa made lifelong friends, enjoying cookouts, celebrations, raising kids and dogs, and creating great memories with neighbors and friends. 

Ken, Lisa, Hannah, and Olivia spent countless days and nights together listening to music, enjoying food and drinks, and sharing laughs. Ken tells his daughters that they are his proudest accomplishment, and he cherishes and loves being a dad amongst other roles. He is a dad who cheered the very loudest at his girl’s dance competitions, graduations, birthday parties, and all of life's celebrations and milestones. 

Kenny was also a proud fisherman. He referred to the lake as his happy place, a place where he could leave all of his troubles behind; a place where life is simple and calm. His favorite moments were spent fishing on the lake with his buddys and embracing life's simplicity. Ken was a great friend who showed his love through phone calls, smoked meat, cold beer, and good stories. He was a lover of food who always followed recipes and created rich, beautiful, and indulgent dishes to bring family and friends together. He will be missed very dearly, but the memories he leaves behind will be cherished forever. 

Ken is a beloved husband of Lisa Ostensen and father of two daughters Hannah (26) and Olivia (22). He is a brother, uncle, thoughtful friend, and fishing buddy.

Kenneth is survived by his spouse Lisa Ostensen (Goebel) and children Hannah N. Ostensen, Olivia G. Ostensen (Tyson W. Buchtel) of Shakopee Minnesota. Siblings Robert Ostensen of Sarasota Florida, and Eric (Deb Evans) Ostensen of Wheaton Illinois. Nephews Kyle Harris of Madison Wisconsin and Corey Ostensen of Wheaton Illinois. 

Ken was preceded in death by his father Ralph Ostensen, mother Carol Ostensen, and sister Karen Ostensen. 

A celebration of life will be held on April 27th, 2025 at Turtle's Bar & Grill in Shakopee, Minnesota from 2-5pm. Please join us in celebration of Ken's life. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Foundation. https://www.clfoundation.org/ways-give-0