Obituary for Kenneth Allen Danielson

Kenneth Allen Danielson passed away on Friday, August 29, 2025, at the age of 84. He was born on March 7, 1941, in Waterville, WA to John and Marie Danielson. He was the last of six children. Ken graduated from Waterville High School in 1959. In high school he played both football and basketball. He enlisted in the US Army on October 25, 1960. He was stationed in Germany, where he was an infantry Specialist. While there, he commanded the crew of a Jeep, mounted with a 105MM recoilless rifle. He obtained an early release on August 7, 1962, in order to help on the family farm. Ken was honorably discharged from the US Army Reserves on September 30, 1966.

Ken raised wheat in partnership with his two brothers on the family farm. They farmed the homestead ranch of his grandfather Julius Oberstaedt. The farm was thirteen miles east of Waterville. They farmed this land and several surrounding ranches for 13 years.

On June 14, 1974, Ken married JoLane Mary Bewick Slaaen and instantly became a step-father to JoLane’s two children, JeriLane and Jeffrey. In 1977, Ken bought a semi-truck and trailer. For the next two years Ken worked for L & M Construction Company in Grand Coulee, WA. Then in the summer of 1979, he moved his family from Waterville, WA to Sprague, WA. Ken bought ½ ownership in the J & B Cattle Co. Together with Robert (Bobby) Bewick, they ran about 200 heads of cattle. Also, in 1979, Ken started farming wheat, barley and alfalfa. In 1995, he and Bobby sold the cattle and Ken continued farming until 2010 when he retired.

Ken enjoyed many outdoor activities including hunting, shooting and fishing. He loved to watch sports, especially football and baseball. Ken also enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Ken cherished spending time with his family. Ken and JoLane loved going to the casinos, the ocean and they made many trips to California. He will be greatly missed.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents John and Marie Danielson, his 5 siblings – Helen Leming, Ruth Schmidt, John Danielson Jr., Polly Buse and Leroy Danielson, his wife, JoLane Danielson and his son Jeffrey Slaaen. He is survived by his daughter JeriLane (Theron) Wing, his 3 grandchildren Taylor (Helen) Wing, Nicholas (Sara) Wing and Zachary (Heather) Slaaen and his 4 great grandchildren Wes Wing, James Wing, Tatum and Peyton Slaaen with one more expected, Alina Wing, on Oct 3rd.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, Sept 11, 2025, from noon-5pm at the Danekas Funeral Home in Ritzville, WA. Funeral services for Ken will be held on Friday, Sept 12, 2025, at 10:30am at St John’s Lutheran Church in Sprague, WA. Flowers may be purchased through Lilac City Blooms in Spokane, WA. Memorial donations may be sent to St John’s Lutheran Church.