Kenneth Lee Nilsson, beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away at his home in Blackfoot, Idaho on February 13, 2022.

Ken was born in Pocatello, Idaho to Karl and Adlene Nilsson on June 22, 1929, and graduated from Pocatello High School. He had a love for motorcycles, cars, dancing, roller skating, and airplanes that began early. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1950 and was stationed at Amarillo Air Force Base.

He married Anna Margaret Peterson on July 11, 1951. Their son Britt was born in Amarillo, TX in 1952. After his tour of duty in Amarillo, Ken moved his family to Garden Grove, CA. While in California, he worked for Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach and attended school at Long Beach City College. His daughter Julie was born in San Pedro, CA in 1954, and his son Karl was born in Santa Ana, CA in 1956. The family moved back to Pocatello and then to Blackfoot in 1958 where his sons Flint and Rand were born in 1959 and 1960. Ken worked for Phillips Petroleum at the Atomic Energy Commission site from 1957 to 1969. He then worked for American Potato Co. from 1969 to 1989. He performed in local musical productions and took his family on many camping, fishing, and skiing trips. He was a great mechanic and an avid do-it-yourself type of a guy and built an awesome 2-seater go-kart as well as repairing and modifying many cars, race cars, and airplanes.

He designed homes and built most of the homes his family lived in from 1967 to 1996. Ken got his pilot's license in 1973 and refurbished a 1941 Stinson airplane and spent many happy hours flying it. He's enjoyed many vacations and has traveled to 43 states. Ken played golf for many years, and with his son, Karl remodeled a building on Main St. and opened a golf shop and "indoor golfing" business in Blackfoot. He lost his wife Anna on June 10, 1995. He later sold this home and moved near his daughter Julie who also lived in Blackfoot. Ken loved going to local plays and concerts. He enjoyed going to lunch at the Senior Center and to weekly dances at the Senior Center in Pocatello. He participated in the Senior Games in ballroom dancing several times.

In two of those years, he and his partner, Clara Hawkes, won gold medals in tango and waltz. They were such a cute couple. He wore a suit complete with a cummerbund, hat, and boutonnière, and she wore fancy dresses and a tiara. He and Clara were married in January 2009. Together they enjoyed lunches at the Blackfoot Senior Center and every Friday night they would travel to the Pocatello Senior Center to dance. Clara passed on September 9, 2017. Ken continued to attend lunches at the Blackfoot Senior Center and traveled to Pocatello on Friday nights to dance and socialize. Also, once a month for the last several years, he met with friends he grew up with in Pocatello for lunch and to share good memories and good times. He also enjoyed going to breakfast every Friday with his sons and son-in-law, Blaine Neff.

He is survived by his daughter Julie (Blaine) Neff and his sons Britt (Gail King), Karl (Darlene), and Flint, as well as seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his youngest son Rand, who passed away on May 12, 2015. Kenneth led an amazing life and was the most honest and ethical man anyone could ever hope to meet.

Services will be held at a later date at Groveland Cemetery in Groveland, ID. Cremation is under the care of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. Online condolences may be sent to www.coltrinmortuary.com .