Kendell Kolden of Thief River Falls, MN, passed away peacefully into the presence of the Lord on Friday, October 13, 2017 at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN, with his loving wife, Vickie by his side, at the age of 73.

Funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, October 20, 2017 at Nexus Church, Thief River Falls, MN, with Pastor Matty Towse officiating.  Burial will follow at the Community Cemetery in St. Hilaire, MN.  Military honors will be provided by the Ecklund-Holmstrom American Legion Post #117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2793 and Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN.  Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.

Kendell Kolden was born May 27, 1944 in Thief River Falls, MN, the son of Thorval and Palma (Johnson) Kolden.  He attended school through eighth grade in St. Hilaire, MN, and graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls in 1962.

Following high school Kendell enlisted with the United States Air Force, proudly serving his country during Vietnam in Guam, Texas, and South Dakota.  Upon his honorable discharge, Kendell returned home to St. Hilaire, MN.

On June 6, 1983 Kendell was united in marriage to Vickie Wheeler in Thief River Falls.

Kendell worked for Detroiter/Homark for 19 years and retired from Arctic Cat after 14 years as a result of difficulty with mobility due to MS.

Kendell enjoyed hunting, fishing, the outdoors, and visiting with his boys – Scott, Jason, and Ryan.

Kendell put his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior in 1998.  The reality of his profession of faith was displayed in his peaceful, enduring demeanor throughout a long and painful journey with Multiple Sclerosis.

Kendell is survived by his loving wife, Vickie of St. Hilaire, MN; his sons, Scott (Sara) Kolden of Foley, MN, Jason (Tristy) Kolden of Byron Center, MI, and Ryan (Nachele) Kolden of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren, Christopher Kolden, Peter Kolden, Janee Kolden, Elliott Kolden, Isaac Kolden, Elijah Kolden, Noah Kolden, Micah Kolden, Austin Kolden, Alanna Tobon, and Maizie Tobon; brother, Orville (Makai) Kolden of Lake Forest, IL; sisters, Janet (Bill) Doxrude of Stevens Point, WI and Lyla Burnett of Federal Way, WA; many nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and Sheba III & Ellie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Floyd "Buddy" Kolden, Reuben Kolden, Jim Kolden, Earl Kolden, Roger Kolden, Thelma Toren, Bernice Ruble, Lorna Johnson, Carol Kolden, and infant brother, Richard Kolden; his beloved dogs, Rex, Ole, Cindy, Sheba I, Sheba II, and Foxy – the wonder cat.