Kenneth Romaine Sweedland, age 80, died at home on the ranch on October 7, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Ken was born on September 23, 1942, in Miles City, Montana, to Earl and Florence (Penwell) Sweedland. He was raised on the family ranch on Rosebud Creek and attended school in Rosebud, Montana. He worked on the home ranch and on neighboring ranches, earning enough money while still in high school to buy his first car, a 1957 red and white Ford Galaxy Skyliner convertible. He claimed it gave him a lot of status with the girls.
After graduating in 1960, he attended Eastern Montana College in Billings for a few years, but decided to enlist in the Army. He was in the service from 1962-1965, stationed most of the time in Augsburg, Germany. He was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division Administration Company, and his job was in finance. He traveled extensively in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Norway while he was in Europe.
Returning to the states, Ken went to college again, but while he was gone, all the professors had “gotten a lot dumber,” so he decided to do something different. He got a job building the fence between Forsyth and Hysham in preparation for the construction of I-94. He then got a summer job working in the oil field between Broadus, MT, and Gillette, WY, and wound up going into business for himself, forming a company called Bell Creek Service, which operated water trucks for the oil field until the boom ended, about 3 years later. He next worked for the U.S. Geological Survey for one summer, surveying in the Fort Union Triangle. He also operated heavy equipment for Hallett Minerals at their bentonite mine near Vananda, and then at the coal mine in Colstrip.
On August 12, 1978, he married Carole Albrecht. They spent their first year together in Livingston, MT, because Hallett Minerals was in the process of buying a travertine mine at Gardiner, MT. When that fell through, they moved back to Forsyth and Ken went into the construction and masonry business with Dan Lloyd. They took turns being boss. He also got his Real Estate License in 1980 and worked at that for several years while he and Dan were still doing construction.
In September 1983, Ken and Carole moved to the family ranch, and Ken returned to doing what he really enjoyed: ranching. They were blessed with two children, Megan and Michael, who were the lights of his life. He enjoyed teaching them all the things one learns to do on a ranch.
Ken loved best anything he could do on horseback, and owning cattle was a good excuse to saddle a horse. He also enjoyed discussing politics, skiing, water skiing, fishing, camping, reloading ammunition, and prairie dog hunting, part of which he said was self-defense. Ken was a great storyteller and had a wealth of knowledge and information at hand. He kept his family laughing with his wonderful sense of humor and his quick wit.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Camille Rodriguez, and his sister, Gayle Bauer. He is survived by his wife, Carole, his children, Megan and Mike, and extended family: Al and Judy Albrecht, the Mike Bruder, Keith Bohr, and Scott Albrecht families, whose kids he considered to be his grandkids, and many friends.
Memorial may be make to: Rocky Mountain Fisher House in Aurora, CO or Concordia Lutheran Church in Forsyth. Here’s a link to the info for the Fisher House with their address and also a place to donate online: https://fisherhouse.org/programs/houses/current-houses/colorado-va-eastern-colorado-health-care-system/
Family to receive friends on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 from 5-7 PM at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Forsyth. A memorial service will be at 11:00 AM on October 13, 2022 at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Forsyth. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home have been entrusted with arrangements. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website at www.stevensonandsons.com.
Elaine Egeland says
Carol, Megan and Mike, I’m so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. You are all in my prayers.
Peggy and Earl says
Dear Carole, Megan, and Mike,
Earl joins me in sending heartfelt condolences to you at this difficult time. May you find comfort in warm memories, and in knowing others sympathize, and are thinking of, and praying for you, now and in the days ahead. May you be comforted by the compassion of others who share this sorrow with you. May the warm memories you have of your Husband and Father help soften your sorrow. May faith help you face each tomorrow.
Sheila H Hart says
Megan my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love to you my friend
Sheila, Shawn & family
Kay Crosby Dooley says
Carol, so sorry to hear this. Kenny was such a great guy, he always had a smile and a kind word. Alex and I were just talking about him. Deepest Sympathy to you all.
Kay
Kay Davis Berdahl says
Carol and family,
My sincere condolences for your loss!
Jamie Ann Lloyd says
Carol, Megan and mikey I’m so sorry all my love to you all, he will always be my Uncle Kenny!
Joby Parker says
Dear Carole, Meagan & Mike,
Bill and I are so very sorry to hear of Kenny’s passing. Please let us know if we can help in any way. Ken was such a great guy and will be missed greatly by everyone. You are in our thoughts!
Prayers and hugs to you.
Bill and Joby
Joan Leinwand says
Sending my condolences.
Dave Lloyd and Donna says
Condolences to the family.
“Swede” was the last of my life-long Rosebud friends and the one I was closest to. We grew up together. The two us comprised a quarter of the 1960 Senior class. Lots of memories!
I could tell a story on us about spray painting his first car black after a wild run to Miles City one time. And the fun we always had in the red and white flash, my old Buick and George’s ’58 Chevvy.
I talked to him on the phone just a couple weeks ago and death wasn’t a subject he avoided. He told me then we would meet again on the other side. I believe him but I will miss him on this one until then.
Goodbye for now, Buddy. Don’t stay sober– enjoy the adventure. See you.
Gracie ann waples hill says
Special prayers and blessings to his family. Yes you will meet again. Families are forever.
Walter Hinck says
Carole, we hold you and your family in our prayers. We were so glad that we had the chance to visit with you in August 2017, we really enjoyed that visit with both of you.
Braun Rosemary says
So sorry dear cousin to have you go through this difficult part of life. A part of you will now be missing- but also that part will now be rejoicing in heaven. Your dear husband will be missed but all the joys, that made him who he was, will be treasured .
Glad we had a chance a few years ago to connect at Marie’s funeral. We have all been blessed by a great family that will reunite in heaven some day.
Love & prayers. Al & Rosie (Hinck) Braun
Nadeen Marten Kovanda says
Carole,
It’s been ages since we have encountered each other. Your mother was our connection. She talked so fondly of you and your family and we were fortunate to have her in our home when she came to visit you. May blessing now shower down on you as you navigate your new journey.
Nadeen
Jeanne Jensen says
Carole, Meghan, and Mike,
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that we are thinking of you.
Jeanne and Bruce
Jim & Mary Rosenberger says
We are so very sorry for the loss of Ken. Ken and I met in 1963 during our Army training at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana and ended up together in the 24th Infantry Division, Augsburg, Germany. We enjoyed our work and all the travel we did in Europe. There was never a dull moment with Ken around but there isn’t enough space here to tell all the stories. When our service ended Ken returned to Montana and I returned to Wisconsin, but we stayed in touch.
My wife, Mary, and I started traveling the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail and in doing so fell in love with Montana. We made a number of trips to Montana which gave us the opportunity to visit Ken and Carole. We talked about various topics, visited sights, hunted, had great dinners and discussed old memories. It was like family.
We will miss Ken Sweedland and we will never forget him. We will love him and the memories forever.
Tim, Deb, Zach, Drew says
We the Davis Family give our deepest prayers to Carole, Megan, Michael . He is now pain free and dancing with all the angels .
Terri Brown says
Our deepest sympathy to you Carole and to the kids. May memories live long in your hearts. Hugs and prayers.
Charlie and Terri
Tracee Raymond says
I’m sure sorry to hear about Ken passing. He is now hanging out with all those cowboy friends who passed before him. My condolences to all of you. Hugs and prayers!
Pam Shelton says
Carole and family, so very sorry for your loss.
Harriet Sleaford Jamsen says
Carol and family… Was saddened today the 16 th to hear of Ken’s passing We we’re good friends even though he was a couple of years behind me in RHS
We always spoke when we would run into one another
May his memories give you peace.
Roban Philbrick Bunting says
Our thoughts and prayers with the Sweedland family from the Philbrick ranch family .Newell had many stories of the High School classes of the good old days and good ranching neighbors. Newell and Andre will be there to greet him in heaven as well as many other friends who have gone ahead.
IUOE Local 400 Board, Members and Staff says
May it comfort you to know how many caring thoughts are with you at this sad time.