To view a livestream of the service access https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas

To view the flowers from Kenneth's service, click here: Kenneth Yuly Flowers

Kenneth Yuly , 72, longtime Minot and Berthold area rancher/farmer, founder of the ND Military Vehicle Collectors and Military Vehicle Preservation Association, passed away Friday, January 19, 2024, in a Minot hospital.

Ken was born on October 28, 1951 in Minot to Walter and Ruth (Dickinson) Yuly. He was a lifelong multi-generation farmer and cattle rancher, farming on the family land near Minot and Berthold, ND with his wife Gail as the Yuly Cattle Co. LLC. Farming was a passion and a matter of pride for Ken starting at an early age. He was a member of the FFA and in 1969 he won their state beef cattle breeding stock selection competition. He graduated from Minot High School in 1969. After taking over the farming operation from his father, he and Gail continued to grow the operation.

Ken's zest for military history and love for his country first manifested in him by enlisting in the North Dakota National Guard from 1970 to 1976. The First Sergeant told him that if he wanted a MOS (job title) where he wasn't in a foxhole, always in a heated area, and everybody wanted to be his buddy, to become a cook - so Ken took him up on it. While in the guard, he was involved with Plains Indian Wars historical re-enacting. Taking a greater role on the farm and engagement to Gail made Ken decline re-enlisting in 1976, but he always was proud of his service there. He married Gail Walter on June 4, 1977 at Congregational United Church of Christ in Minot.

Ken was also a passionate firearms enthusiast, primarily in vintage lever-action Winchesters plus U.S. and European military arms from all eras. More than just the pieces of wood and steel, he relished the history from their respective eras, having done historical displays to share that passion at many shows over the last three decades – truly putting the "show" back in gun show. Ken was a regular attendee and vendor at gun shows in Minot and throughout the state since the 1980's as a member of the Dakota Territory Gun Collectors Association.

Ken's love of historic military vehicles started as an offshoot of his time in the guard, after he got out. He started with a Vietnam era M151 jeep (one of his favorite types), then a bunch of parts from decommissioned M151's (hey, ya gotta have parts to keep them running), adding a 3/4-ton Dodge weapons carrier or six to "work around the farm…and the ranch", then a few military trailers ("they can do more work that way…on the farm"), then adding the ambulance versions of them, to amassing a large variety of U.S. military vehicles. Often found in shelter belts, rock piles or ravines, his collection ranges from restoring one of the few surviving 1935 Chevrolet Civilian Conservation Corps trucks (which was featured on the cover of the national magazine "Vintage Trucks", of which he was quite proud) to late Cold War era 5-ton semi-tractors. In networking with other collectors and enthusiasts of military vehicles in the area, he was a founding member of the North Dakota Military Vehicle Collectors Association in 2005, becoming an affiliated chapter of the international MVPA, and was the chapter's first President. In addition to participating in club events like trail rides, meetings, shows, and the occasional parade, he would also loan out vehicles to display at the Dakota Territory Air Museum - another association that was a member and supporter.

Ken enjoyed trips every spring with his brother-in-law Darrel Walter in Rolette for the McCumber Bull sale. He will be remembered for his dedication to his country and the pride he took in his displays at the many shows he attended around the state. Ken will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to share in his life.

Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Gail, Minot; brother Richard (Gloria) Rakness, Saratoga, WY; in-laws Margie (Daryl) Haas, Fertile, MN, Marvin Jr. (Linda) Walter, Warwick, ND, Les (Yelena) Walter, Plymouth, MN, Nanny Forest, Warwick, ND, Rick Walter, Devils Lake, ND and Darrel (Dori) Walter, Warwick, ND along with numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Pauline (Sam) Huntley and Sharon Andersen, brothers-in-law Darrell Forest, Roger Walter, Tracy Walter, Terry Walter and sister-in-law Cleus Walter.

Celebration of Life For Kenneth Yuly : 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 26, 2024, at the Dakota Territory Air Museum in the Flying Legends Hangar, located at 100 34th Ave NE, Minot. To view a livestream of the service access https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas
Visitation : Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
In lieu of plants and flowers, Memorials are preferred to the Dakota Territory Air Museum or to an organization of the donor's choice.