To view the flowers from Ken's service, click here: Ken Smith Flowers

Kenneth "Ken" Archibald Smith, 95, Minot, died Wednesday, March 31, 2021 in a Minot Hospital.

Ken was born May 21, 1925 at Avonlea, Saskatchewan, Canada the son of Archibald and Edna (Campbell) Smith. He was raised and educated in Avonlea and graduated from Avonlea High School in 1943. He moved to Minot in 1946 and owned and operated Granite Springs Water Company with his brother, Wayne. In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and honorably served his country until 1953. He returned to Minot, where he continued with Granite Springs until the business was sold in 1955.

In 1956, Ken and Wayne built Ken-Way Motel which they operated until 1962. They then owned and operated the Dairy Queen franchise in Ward County, until they sold the franchise rights in 1969. Ken began employment with the Great Northern Railroad in 1966 and continued to work there as a clerk until he retired in 1986.

Ken was united in marriage to Shirley Cox in 1976. They continued to live in Minot. Shirley died in September of 2001. Ken was most recently a resident at The View in Minot.

Ken was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Minot. He was a former member of St. Mark's Presbyterian Church in Hudson, FL. He was longtime member of the Minot Curling Club and was well known throughout the state for curling in bonspiels. Ken was proud to have represented North Dakota in the First National Curling Championship held in Chicago in 1957. He was a former member of the VFW Post #753, American Legion Post #26 and Brotherhood of Railway Clerks and Steamship Union.

Ken enjoyed golfing, curling, traveling and spent a number of winters in Arizona and Florida.

His loving family includes: nephew, Kelby (Cyndy) Smith of Minot; grandson, Kyson.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley; brother, Wayne and nephew, Kevin "Otto" Smith.

Celebration of Life service: Monday, April 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m . in Immanuel Baptist Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot with Military Honors by the ND Army National Guard and Minot American Legion.
Visitation: Sunday, April 4, 2021 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: preferred to Immanuel Baptist Church, Minot.