Marlin “Ken” Kenneth Augst

Funeral Services will be held for M. Kenneth “Ken” Augst 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 24, 2014 at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga with Pastor Bruer officiating. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, and one hour prior to the service at the Church. Mary Hanninen will serve as Organist. Pallbearers are Isaac, Jordan, Zachary, Eric, Adam and Seth. Honorary Pallbearers are the American Legion Post 448 and Members of First English Lutheran Church Wednesday Morning Coffee Group. Guy L. McDermeit V.F.W. Post 6206 will provide Military Honors. Kenneth will be laid to rest at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2014 at Sunset Memorial Park of Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria, MN. M. Kenneth Augst was born September 16, 1929 in Cumberland, Wisconsin to Julia and Ernest Augst. He attended elementary and secondary school in Cumberland. Ken was active in concert band, stage band and choir. During high school he worked at the local newspaper setting text for the paper. After high school, Ken attended River Falls University in River Falls, WI. He majored in music and social studies with a minor in math. After graduating from college, he served in the U.S. Army and was honorable discharge in 1951. Ken taught Music, English, Math and Social Studies in Milroy, Sandstone and Silver Lake, MN before moving to Menahga in 1960. In Menahga he taught Music to students in grades 4-12. Extra-curricular music included Stage Band and Marching Band. Personally, Ken participated in the Laidlaw Marching Drum and Bugle Corps of Minneapolis from 1955 – 1965. He played bass bugle. The dance band he was part of was called the Polka Five Band and they played current hits of the day. Ken played tenor saxophone, trumpet, string bass, drums and accordion. He also played bass in pick-up bands in Menahga with Howie Haataja, Ken Erickson and Fred Fuchs for area social events. Highlights of Menahga High School music include a vinyl recording of band music to preserve the memory of the musicians of the mid 1960’s. He recorded the band in the big gym on a 2-track reel-to-reel recorder and then sent the master to be pressed into vinyl records. 300 copies were made. Spring concerts were festive; the students dressed up and played popular music. Pop, coffee, pie and ice cream could be purchased while listening to the music. In 1975 the Menahga Marching Band won the Bemidji Water Carnival parade’s first place trophy. Co-workers were surprised that the little town of Menahga could win first place in Bemidji; but they did! One of Ken’s musical passions was singing barbershop-style music which he began in his senior year at college. He continued his barbershop experience singing and directing the Headwaters Chorus in Park Rapids. He was also in several barbershop quartets enjoying the practices, concerts and the after glows. Ken was a member of Menahga’s First English Lutheran Church since 1960. He was a member of the council, served as the congregational president, was on the stewardship committee, was a delegate to the District and National conventions, and taught Sunday school. He directed the First English Lutheran Church choir and hand-bell choir for 30+ years. Easter morning was particularly jubilant when he arranged the Easter songs, adjusting them each year to include a variety of instruments depending on who was available to play. Each year was a little different and students and alumni were excited to participate. Ken was always happy to work with and direct previous students. For this, he thanks you. One of his favorite pieces to direct was the “Hallelujah Chorus” by Handel. Community service was valued by Ken. He was an active member in the American Legion Post 448 serving as Commander for several years. He was a member of the Sons of Norway lodge 1-626 serving one term as president. Each summer, for many years, Ken organized the floats and bands for the Mid-Summer Parade growing the participants to 110 units including five bands from neighboring towns. After 34 years with the public school system, Ken retired and concentrated full-time on his piano tuning and repair business. He was a member of the Piano Technicians Guild. Pianos in area school districts and personal homes were well cared for by the touch of his hand. M. Kenneth Augst married Verllien J. (Westlund) Augst on August 22, 1954 in Nelson, MN at Fahlun Lutheran Church. He is survived by his wife; children Linda (William) Carlyon, Nancy Wheatley, and Steven (Samantha) Augst; grandchildren Isaac (Sarah), Eric, Adam, Andreya, and Sophia; and great-granddaughter Emma. He is also survived by his younger brother Ramon August. He is preceded in death by his parents Julia and Ernest Augst and older siblings William Augst, Leon Augst, Minnie Senne, Rose Coleman, Helen Boline, Laurel McGechie, and Harvey Augst.