Kenneth Herem
March 18, 1920 - February 15, 2014
Obituary
Kenneth S. Herem, 93, of Absarokee passed away February 15, 2014 of natural causes. He was born on March 18, 1920 at his parents, Osmond and Kathryn Herem, ranch outside of Absarokee. He later took over a portion of the ranch which was well known for the big red barn framed by the Beartooth mountains with the K bar H brand on it. He attended grade school at Butcher Creek and graduated high school from Absarokee in 1938. On June 29, 1940 he married Lucille Hawks. They ranched in the area raising cattle, sheep, and quarter horses. He was a member of the Luthern Church, Lions Club, Elks Club, the Broken Horn Stampede, American Quarter Horse Association, and Stillwater Wool Growers, for which he was director for 18 years. He served two terms as president of the Wool Pool. Kenneth was a true rodeo man and rancher. He helped build the rodeo arena for the kids rodeo in Absarokee and furnished bulls and calves for the events. When he was in his teens and twenties, he rode in the Absarokee rodeos. He attended the Red Lodge rodeo for 83 years, sitting in the same seat each year. His late grandson, Daniel even took him to the Cheyenne rodeo in Wyoming, which he spoke about for many years after. He was proud of being a rancher for so long. He had cows up until his health started failing. He was truly one of the last of the real cowboys. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents Osmond and Kathryn, his brother, Oliver, sisters Ruth and Florence and his grandson Daniel Oltrogge. He is survived by his lovely wife of 73 years, Lucille; his brother Irvin, his daughter Sharlene Oltrogge and her husband Ray; his grandson Steve Oltrogge and his wife Suzette along with his great granddaughters Heather and Amber; a special friend and long time ranch hand Vincent Vandersnick and his wife Diana; he also had many nieces and nephews. In memory of his love of ranching, memorials may be made to the Special K Ranch as well as the Absarokee fire department and the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Services will be held at 11:00am, Monday, February 24 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Absarokee, MT. A luncheon will follow.
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My sympathy to Mr. Herem's dear family, and may Jehovah God comfort them in their time of need. Isaiah 61:2; 2 Corinthians 1:3,4
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Norman Oliver Herem
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My family extends sympathy and love to Aunt Lucille, to Uncle Irvin, to Sharlene & Ray, and to Vince Vandersnick and their families at this time of loss. We appreciate the beautiful obituary, and its reflection on an exemplary life. Uncle Kenneth was always a hero because he was an active, hard working man who had an admirable pride in caring for his livestock. We appreciated his sense of humor, and his strong devotion to his family (always there at family gatherings or when his brothers or sisters needed help). We knew that we could call Kenneth & Lucille, and we'd get their support. We knew that Kenneth was given the name Stephen to honor his maternal grandfather, Stephen Allen, and we have named our own children so that loved one's names can live on. Kenneth & Lucille were always generous with their time and money (we remember wonderful Christmas gifts of skis and a toboggan, and the way they would hide them under the tree while we were away from our home. Uncle Irvin would come as Santa Claus.) We remember happy times when the sheep shearers would come to the Big Shed, and Lucille would serve us wonderful meals at the home or on the wool sacks. We remember that Kenneth made us proud to be Norwegian, with his tales of trapping skunks and other animals, traveling the trails on cross-country skis. We were proud of Kenneth and our family whenever we saw him leading the parades, carrying the flag, on one of his fine Quarter horses. We honor him as a devoted rancher, who gave love and service to many, and who leaves a legacy of accomplishment we will emulate and cherish.