Kenneth Milton Rowland, 101, a lifelong resident of Sedro- Woolley, WA died December 28, 2022 in Skagit Valley Hospital.

Ken was born November 18, 1921, to Ralph and Myrtle (Rowland) Libby in Yakima, WA. His mother died from post-delivery complications leaving Ken's father, Papa Libby, alone with 7 children. Papa Libby took Ken over to Myrtle's brother and wife, Joseph and Adeline Rowland, who had offered to help care for baby Kenneth in their home in Sedro-Woolley. Here he joined cousins Guy, Eleanor, Blanche, and Pearl. The Rowland family became very attached to Ken and offered adoption. Papa Libby did not want to give Ken up, but he allowed the adoption, knowing in his heart that it was the best opportunity for his child. Throughout Ken's life he was able to maintain strong family ties with both the Libby and Rowland sides of his family.

Ken attended Auburn Adventist Academy and Sedro-Woolley High School. He graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1940 and then attended Walla Walla College.

Ken married the love of his life, May Stroud, on September 24,1942 in Sedro-Woolley, WA. Daughter Sharon was born in 1944 and son Gael in 1947. In the 1940s Ken and May moved to the Garden of Eden Road in Sedro-Woolley where they continued to live until their deaths.

Ken worked for Boeing prior to being drafted into the US Army in 1944. His mechanical knowledge from his younger years garnered him a job in the US Army as Sergeant of a motor pool in the CBI theater (China, Burma, and India). His company hauled freight over the Ledo Road into China. From there he was shipped to the Philippines until the end of the war.

After WWII Ken joined his father in the Rowland Pole business, providing poles to utility companies until his father passed away. Ken then worked in the woods and operated log trucks. He hauled many long poles in those years which earned him the nickname "Polecat". The longest of those poles being 154 feet.

In 1978 Ken was invited by son Gael to join him in establishing a roof truss business, Truss Engineering, in Sedro-Woolley. Ken continued to work at Truss Engineering until his retirement.

Ken was a lifelong member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He loved and was devoted to God and his church family. He prayed that his relatives, friends, and church family would study God's Word to be ready for Jesus' return and share this with those they met in their daily lives, so all would be ready for that blessed day. He continued to express this in the hospital in the days before his death.

Ken is survived by his son Gael (Geraldine) Rowland, son-in-law Bob Littlejohn, grandchildren Greg Littlejohn, Jolene (Tim) Seibly, Jennifer (Joe) Bielas, and Jeff (Sara) Rowland. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren who brought him much joy.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife of 76 years, May (Stroud) Rowland, daughter Sharon Littlejohn, brothers Guy Rowland, John Libby, Dale Libby, Vern Libby, Claire Terwilleger, Alton Libby, sisters Doris Smith Beddoe, May Wren, Pearl Jensen, Blanche Moore, Eleanor Dietrich, and Ruth Gowing.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday January 14, 2023, at 3:00 pm at the North Cascade Seventh-day Adventist Church, 800 Peacock Lane, Burlington, Washington.

Memorials may be sent to North Cascade Seventh Day Adventist Church, Radio of Life or Amazing Facts.