Kenneth James Gibennus

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Kenneth James Gibennus on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at the University Hospital in Edmonton, AB. Ken is predeceased by 3 of his children, Brittany Nancy, Kenneth James and Talon Marcus. He is survived by his daughter, Kendra (John) Gibennus, his son, Hunter Gibennus, his former spouse Charmaine Fitzgerald, his parents Bob and Peggy Gibennus, his brother Mark (Jordan) Gibennus and their children, his grandmother Olga Lammle, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A celebration of Ken’s life will take place at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Telford House in Leduc AB. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton, AB, Mental Health Unit.

Ken was born in Calgary, AB, lived briefly in Brooks, then Edmonton and settled in Leduc at the age of 3, where he lived the rest of his life. Before Ken took an interest in athletics during Junior High School, he spent some time in Scouting. After Beavers and 3 years with Leduc Blue Pack Cubs he joined Scouts where he earned his Chief Scout Award when he was 12. In sports, he participated in throwing events in track and field, even setting a provincial record in shot put when he was 15. He got involved in contact sports, joining the High School Football and Wrestling Teams and when football was over for him, he took up Rugby. Ken loved his contact sports so much that he took his skills off school grounds, where he earned a reputation of being the toughest guy in Leduc. His younger brother and smaller friends were always thankful that Kenny would “have their back”.

On Sept. 3, 1994, at the age of 22, he married his high school sweetheart, Charmaine Miersch. Together, they raised two amazing children; Kendra and Hunter.

After high school, Ken made an attempt to become a chef, entering the apprenticeship program while working at the Nisku Inn. He was lured away from that career by the lucrative paychecks that the Oil & Gas industry offered. His years on “the rigs” provided the income he needed to raise his family and gave him the opportunity to travel, fulfilling contracts in Kenya and Australia. He remained employed in oil & gas until his illness denied him the ability to continue working.

After retiring from that line of work, Ken was sick much of the time, but there were periods when he was given a reprieve from illness and was able to pursue hobbies that revealed his incredible creative talents. He took up wine making; built a still from scratch and made moonshine for a while and eventually took up the craft of turning pieces of wood into works of art. The kitchen that he helped renovate for Charmaine would rival anything you would see in a magazine. His hand-crafted furniture adorns the homes of many grateful friends and relatives near and far.

All of his accomplishments pale in comparison to his greatest achievement of all. Kenneth James Gibennus was an amazing father. He loved his children more than anything, and they have grown into mature, responsible adults, who know first-hand the meaning of love.

Ken will be missed by all who were given the privilege of knowing him.