Kenneth Wayne Wardinsky

It is with great sadness that the family of Ken Wardinsky announces his passing on Thursday, October 4, 2018.He was 83 years old. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 20,at 10:00 AM at the O’Connor Funeral Home, 2425 8th Ave N.A reception will follow at 11:30 AM at the Heritage Inn, 1700 Fox Farm Road. Ken was born October 30, 1934 in Great Falls.He was the son of Eugene Wardinsky and Madonna Catherine Burns.He served in the US Naval Reserve from 1952 to 1957 until he was drafted.He then joined the US Army from 1957 until 1959.During his time in the Army, he was stationed at Fort Huachuca AZ. On November 17, 1956, Ken married Patricia Pauls.After living in Arizona for two years while he was in the Army, they moved back to Montana and made Great Falls their home. Ken was employed in 1954 by Mountain States Telephone as an apprentice electrician.After his apprenticeship, he became a journeyman and then a foreman.In 1979, he was promoted to Central Office Equipment Installation Manager in Network.He held that position until his retirement in 1984.He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers. Ken loved to spend time in his garage creating and building things.He made furniture and even tried his hand at restoring an old 1940 Plymouth.He enjoyed reading, bowling, fishing and camping. One of his great loves was celebrating the Fourth of July. Every year the family got together for fireworks, good food and a fun time. Ken is survived by his loving family: his wife Patricia; daughter, Catherine (David) Hamre; son, Kenneth M. (Liz) Wardinsky;grandchildren, Jason (Heather) Bohl and Amy (Jesse) Fox ; and step-grandchildren, Savannah Hamre, Andy Hamre, Nikole (Steven) Bakker, and Thomas (Christa) Baldwin.Also surviving are two brothers: Eugene Wardinsky and Raymond Wardinsky; seven great grandchildren; and cousins, nephews and a niece . Ken was preceded in death by his parents and two nieces: Elizabeth Wardinsky and Shawn Wardinsky.