Kenneth Gowdy

Kenneth “Ken” E. Gowdy, 88, of Roseville, MN, died on May 8, 2025. Ken was born May 23, 1936 in Hibbing, MN to the Rev. Vernon and Lois (Cook) Gowdy, the second of five children. Education: Denfeld HS, Duluth; BA cum laude UMD (1958); BA and BTh St. Paul Bible College (1960); BD summa cum laude Bethel Theological Seminary (1963); PhD Fordham U, NYC (1979). Employment: pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, St James, Manitoba, CAN (1963-65); Asst. Prof., Nyack Missionary College, NY (1965-68); social worker, Youth Development, Inc. (1968-69) East Harlem, NYC; Assoc. Prof of Soc. Bethel College, St. Paul, MN (1971-1993); and bus driver, Metro Transit (1993-2002).

Ken married Shirley Benson in 1958, and together they raised four daughters. Ken was a life-long learner and a gifted and beloved teacher, impacting his children, college students, and many adult learners in Bible studies and book discussion groups. He saw himself as a mid-wife to his students’ growth and discoveries. Central to his life was his Christian faith, his love of the Bible, and his and Shirley’s life-long search for how to live as the people of God in contemporary U.S. society. Ken lived his life with compassion and integrity, sought justice for all and was a careful steward of God’s creation. He and Shirley tried to live simply, so that others could simply live. He sought self-knowledge and wasn’t afraid to live with unanswered questions. Although intellectually focused, Ken developed and shared practical skills such as painting and roofing. Upon retirement he enjoyed Bible study, golf, Sudoku, and washing the dishes at the end of each day. The family’s favorite quote of his: “Every meal deserves a dessert.” This wise and loving man will be missed by his family, church community and many others.

Ken was proceeded in death by his parents, sister Judith Abel and three siblings-in-law: Kenneth Weaver, Gladys and Raymond Karhu. He is survived by his wife; four daughters: Rebecca Emmons (Robert); Christine Gowdy-Jaehnig (Mark), Sharon Gowdy Wagener (Fred), and Sarah Lempia (Bryan); and six grandchildren: Alexandra Gowdy-Jaehnig (Collin Sherraden), Phillipa Gowdy-Jaehnig, Bjorn Gowdy-Jaehnig (Anna Bolgrien), Anders Lempia, Maarten Lempia, and V. Wagener; three siblings: JoAnne Weaver, John Gowdy (Shirley) and Kathleen Kramer (Donovan); and three siblings-in-law: Marilyn Benson (Tim Wulling), Orland Abel, and David Benson (Sally Anne).

A memorial service will be held at St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ at 1 pm on Friday, June 27. Attend in-person at 2129 Commonwealth Avenue, St. Paul, MN or via Zoom link at https://www.sapucc.org/worship-information. Memorials: The Land Stewardship Project, St. Anthony Park UCC.

Memorials: Land Stewardship Project or St. Anthony Park UCC.