Kenneth Wayne Kadlec, 79, of Stanwood, WA, died Monday, February 13, 2023, at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, WA.

Ken was born October 16, 1943 in Grafton, North Dakota to Joseph and Edith (Lala) Kadlec.  He was raised in Edinburgh, ND, and graduated from the University of North Dakota.

A farm boy at heart, Ken worked in the agricultural industry his entire career.  His first job was with Cenex/Land O'Lakes in St. Paul, MN, then Park River, ND, and later became General Manager & CEO of Skagit Farmers Supply in the Pacific Northwest, where he retired in 2010.  Ken served on multiple agricultural commissions and leadership boards in the state of Washington.  He was also inducted into the Washington State Agriculture Cooperative Hall of Fame.

Family was everything to Ken.  He loved to watch his kids & grandkids play sports and perform in activities.  He & Joan took the children on many memorable vacations, and Ken was able to travel to the Czech Republic with his parents, siblings, and children in 1997 to visit his roots.

Ken is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Joan (Gross) Kadlec, their three children, Tim (Katie) of Spokane, WA, Courtney (James) Baxter of Stanwood, WA, and Mitch (Valerie) of Bellingham, WA, and grandchildren Abbey, Adam, Jessica, Sean, and Eric.  He is also survived by his siblings, Loren (Nancy) Kadlec of Grand Forks, ND, Carol (Dwight) Howe of Portland, OR, and Don Kadlec of Pisek, ND, and his sisters-in-law, Cheryl Kohan of Oswestry, England, and Valerie Gross of Port Angeles, WA.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial & celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, April 15, from 1:00-4:00pm, at McIntyre Hall, Skagit Valley College.  Food & refreshments will be hosted.