G. Kenneth “Ken Dufresne, age 78, of 4687 12th Road Escanaba, died Sunday evening March 26, 2006 at the Marquette General Hospital in Marquette.

Ken was born September 19, 1927, in Escanaba, the son of Ernest and Myrtle (Kuchenbacker) Dufresne.  He was raised in Escanaba and attended and graduated from the Escanaba High School in 1946.  Following school, Ken entered the United States Army serving during the WWII era from 1946 to 1948.  Ken was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1948 and returned to Escanaba where he went to work for a short period of time for the Harnischfeger Corporation.  On August 13, 1960, Ken married the former Shirley LaValley at the St. Anne Catholic Church in Escanaba.  Together the couple made their home in Escanaba where Ken eventually gained employment for the Red Owl Grocery Store working as a meat cutter until his retirement in 1986.  After retirement, Ken and Shirley spent many happy years in Florida during the winter season.  Ken enjoyed all types of sporting events.  He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan.  Ken enjoyed swimming in the pool in Florida and in his younger years he enjoyed shooting pool and golfing.  Ken loved to spend time with his family and two grandsons, Jeremy and James.  He will be deeply missed. 

Survivors include: 

Ken’s loving wife of 45 years, Shirley

1 Daughter:  Sue (Jerry) Bosk of Gladstone, MI

2 Grandsons:  Jeremy and James Bosk of Gladstone, MI

1 Sister in law:  Helen Dufresne of Escanaba, MI

Also surviving are 3 nieces, 3 nephews and many cousins and friends. 

In addition to his parents, Ernest and Myrtle, Ken was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Don, Bob and Ernest Dufresne. 

Family will receive friends on Thursday from 3:00PM to 5:00PM at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home in Escanaba.  Funeral services celebrating the life of Ken Dufresne will follow visitation, at 6:00PM, at the St. Anne Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. Michael Steber and Deacon Mike LeBeau officiating.  Luncheon will follow in the St. Anne Church Parish Hall.  Committal will be at the Holy Cross Cemetery in the spring.