Ken "Kenny" W. Santala

Ken "Kenny" W. Santala, 71 year old resident of Little Falls, MN, passed away Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at First United Church in Little Falls, at 11:00 AM, with Pastor Tony Romaine officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, from 4:00-7:00 PM, at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, and again on Wednesday from 10:00-11:00 AM at the church. Caring for Kenny and his family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls. Ken was born on February 1, 1954, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, to the late Edwin and Bernice (Oja) Santala. He grew up in Little Falls, Minnesota, where he attended Little Falls Community High School and graduated with the Class of 1972. Following high school, Ken continued his education at Staples Votech. On September 28, 1974, Ken was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Linda Young. Together they built a life filled with love, hard work, and cherished family moments. Ken devoted his career to carpentry, a trade he was passionate about. He began his work alongside his father-in-law, Dick Young, and over the years worked for several employers before establishing his own business, Santala Construction. Ken took great pride in his craftsmanship and loved the challenges his work brought. He was proud to see his son Jeremy eventually take over the family business, continuing the legacy he built. In his free time, Ken enjoyed riding his motorcycle, hunting, and fishing. One of his favorite places was the family hunting shack in Akeley, Minnesota, a place that truly felt like home and brought him great joy. Above all, Ken’s greatest source of pride and happiness was his family. They meant the world to him, and he cherished every moment spent with them. Ken will be remembered for his love of life, his warm heart, and the deep friendships he formed along the way. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. He is survived by wife, Linda Santala; children, Jeremy (Amanda) Santala and Sara (Dave) Lester; brothers, Chuck (Faye) Santala, Rick (Nancy) Santala and Tom (Diane) Santala; grandchildren, Braxten Santala, Ellie Santala, Jace Santala, Kiptyn Lester and Adley Lester; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Ken was preceded in death by parents, Ed and Bea Santala and mother and father-in-law, Dick and Pat Young.

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Ken "Kenny" W. Santala

February 1, 1954 - June 5, 2025