Kenneth LaMont

Kenneth “Ken” LaMont, 63, Mandan, died Jan. 7, 2010, at his home with his family at his side, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, Jan. 11, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, Mandan, with Rev. Patrick Schumacher as celebrant.

Ken was born Aug. 1, 1946, in Grafton, to Gordon and Martha (Grescowiak) LaMont. Raised and educated in Fargo, he graduated from Fargo Shanley High School in 1964 and North Dakota State University with an English and physical education degree.

On Sept. 1, 1967, Ken married Diane Abrahamson in Fargo. For many years Ken worked in the food service and hospitality industry. He started with Country Kitchen in Fargo. He and his brother then owned a franchise with Happy Joe’s. In 1983 he and Diane moved to Mandan, where Ken managed and co-owned the Dakota Farm’s Family Restaurants and then managed the Seven Seas. Given his experience and wanting to share his expertise, Ken became an associate professor at Bismarck State College, teaching Food Service and Hospitality. Ken’s dedication and generous giving of his time had many students comment how they not only learned the skills of the industry, but also gained a sense of self-esteem. Ken saw himself as a teacher and mentor. Over coffee with friends, discussing the need for a Mayor of Mandan, Ken decided to run for that office. As Mayor, he will be remembered for the eight years he served and how he took on all challenges with a positive and professional manner, working for the people of Mandan. As a community, we are fortunate and grateful for his dedication of service given.

Always generous, caring and sensitive to others, Ken gave freely of his time to his family and community. He was the number one Mandan Braves fan. He was especially fond of, and could be seen, at every Mandan Braves girls basketball game. He also had an honorary seat at BSC games. Close to his heart were the Minnesota Twins. Ken had a true passion for the sport, even after years of attending games; he enjoyed each game as if it were his first. This all started as a young boy when he started collecting sports cards, remembering the details and developed a keen sense for recalling sports trivia. Diane and Ken would go to Scottsdale, Ariz., to watch baseball spring training camp. They also made two trips to Hawaii, which were their dream vacations. A true to form sportsman, Ken started playing golf and judging from the six sets of golf clubs in the garage he was still striving to perfect his game.

Blessed to have shared his life is his wife of 42 years, Diane, Mandan; daughter, Jill LaMont-Goetz, Mandan; son, Mike (Tracy) LaMont, Fargo; four grandchildren, Courtney and Connor Goetz and Zachary and Seth LaMont; his mother, Martha LaMont, Mandan; five sisters, Sandra Borg, Mandan, Eileen (Ron) Sauer, Buffalo, Patricia (Ron) Grimson, Minot, Sharon LaMont, Bismarck, and Janice (Gary) Mindt, Mandan; brother, Larry (Jane) LaMont, Edina, Minn.; father-in-law James Abrahamson, Fargo, and sister-in-law, Kathy (Dan) Tiner-Sewell, Santa Barbara, Calif.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Gordon LaMont; and mother-in-law, Karen Abrahamson.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the BSC Scholarship Fund “for Ken LaMont” or the Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation.

Go to www.weigelfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook and view flower and tribute photos.