Kenneth Lavern Vesta

     Kenneth L. Vesta age 88 of Lakeville, MN entered into the presence of his Saviour on February 6, 2023.

Ken was born in Dekalb, IL on May 24, 1934, as the 8th of 11 children. Ken was the son of a farmer, and he quickly learned the meaning of hard work. He attended Hillcrest Academy in Fergus Falls, MN, and graduated in 1952. While there he excelled at athletics and primarily in music where he was involved in many choirs and music groups. Ken formed lifelong friendships and cherished memories from his years there.On September 11, 1954, Ken married Sonja Helgesen in Dekalb, IL. They welcomed two sons: Daniel Kent on September 24, 1955, and Mark Steven on April 8, 1958.

     In 1958 the family moved to Minneapolis, MN. Ken found work as a carpenter which he did with skill, working primarily as a house framer. He also engaged in lots of “side work” on nights and weekends to supplement the family income. At this time Ken and Sonja attended Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church in Minneapolis. They both enjoyed being in the church choir, and their love of music was a very important part of their lives.

     In 1965 Ken and Sonja moved into a new house in Burnsville, MN, which was quite a change from living in south Minneapolis. At this time Ken moved into commercial construction, working for Inland Construction as well as Inland Development. He spent about 2 years working in Big Sky, Montana building condominiums and townhomes. It was a beautiful place to live and work, with easy accessibility to Yellowstone National Park when friends and relatives would come to visit. Once back in Minnesota Ken started up his own company, Vesta Construction, Inc. He worked primarily on multifamily construction, building condos and townhomes, in addition to single family homes, home additions, and kitchen remodels. Later in life he volunteered his skills with various building projects at Grace Church. Ken had a lifelong love of singing and appreciating Christian music. He traveled throughout the United States and abroad with choral groups, and sang with the Foundation Quartet for several years. Ken and Sonja attended numerous gospel quartet conventions as well. Branson was a favorite travel destination, and they enjoyed multiple vacations there together.

Ken and Sonja's family grew over the years, and they welcomed 6 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Nettie Vesta, brothers Vernon, Elwood, Elmer Jr., Eugene, and sisters Norma and Doris.Ken is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sonja, and sons Dan (Linda), and Mark (Marsha).Grandchildren Michelle (Ben), Melissa (David), Hayley (Kyle), Mallory (Sam), Michael (Allison), and Amy (Caramon). Great-grandchildren Joshua, Levi, Grace, Isaiah, Ezra, Jessalyn, Henry, William, Charlotte, Jeremiah, Adeline, Olivia, Kathryn, Eloise, Elliott, Weston, and Peter. Sisters Virginia, Luella, Lois and Ruth, brother-in-law Steve (Randi) Helgesen, sister-in-law Ruth “Bunny” Vall, and many nieces and nephews.  Blessed be the memory of Ken Vesta.

There will be a Memorial Service at Grace Church Eden Prairie on Thursday February 16, 2023.  The church is located at 9301 Eden Prairie Road.   There is a visitation in the chapel beginning at 11:00 am followed by the service at 12:00.  At the completion of the service the family invites you to a light lunch.  Please enter through Door #2.

The service will be Livestreamed.  It can be seen at grace.church/kenvesta

Services Entrusted to Summit Funeral and Cremation

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