Kenneth Lee Feasenhiser, beloved husband, brother, and father, was born on January 26th 1940 and passed from this life on July 23rd 2019. Ken grew up in South Bend, Indiana and was the son of Charlotte (Allen) and Raymond Feasenhiser. After graduating high school, Ken went to college at Perdue and then served in Brethren Volunteer Service in Unit 45, serving from September 1959 to approximately September 1961 at the Chicago West Side Christian Parish, where he helped organize work camps and community service programs. Ken then attended McPherson College, where he met and later married Bethel Miller. They would marry on August 16th 1964, and would graduate in 1965.
After graduation they both worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs as dormitory supervisors at the boarding school at Wingate, New Mexico. After two years, they moved to Bruneau, Idaho where they taught school. After on year they moved to Fruitland, moving in 1971 to a small farm south of Fruitland where he was involved in the family raising registered Black Angus cattle. Ken would continue in education, teaching Junior High and then Middle School History for 31 years, from 1968 until his retirement in 1999. He coached Junior High football 11 years, basketball 12 years, and was assistant track coach for one year. Ken was also a driver's education instructor for Fruitland School District for many years. His long period of teaching meant that he taught two generations of some area families, as well as all three of his children.
Ken was active in his community as a member of the Fruitland Church of the Brethren and as a member of the Fruitland Lion's Club. He was an active lay speaker at church, helping to fill the pulpit during pastor vacations and times between pastors, both at the Fruitland and Twin Falls Church of the Brethren. He helped lead adult Sunday School, was a Deacon, and served many years on the church board. As a Lion, Ken would help with the annual chicken barbecue at the Fruitland Spring Fair, Lions activities at the Payette County Fair, and was also an officer for several years. He was also very active for many years in helping with the annual Peace Candle Lighting ceremony that took place on Christmas Eve. As a father of 4-Hers and a 4-H leader, Ken could often be found running the grill at the 4-H food booth during the Payette County Fair. He received the Friend of 4-H award in 2005 for his support of the 4-H program.
Ken is survived by his sister Joyce; his brother Charles; his wife Bethel of nearly 55 years; his sons David and Dean; and his daughter Diane. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Shirley; brother Frederick; and brother-in-law John Saylor.
Services will be held Saturday, September 7th at 1 :00 pm at the Fruitland Church of the Brethren on 4th and Minnesota, Fruitland. Memorial donations may be made to Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel. Condolences may be made to Ken's family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.
