Doherty, Kenneth Russell

Kenneth Russell Doherty

March 21, 1941 – August 14, 2023

Ken (Kenny) passed away peacefully at the Assiniboine Centre in Marlene’s loving arms after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Ken was born March 21, 1941 in Oak Lake, Manitoba to Ken and Eileen Doherty. The eldest of 5 children, Ken attended school at Oak Lake and helped his dad on the family farm overlooking the Assiniboine river. At 18, Ken joined the air force where he worked as radar technician. He met Ann McManus at St Margaret AFB and they were married in 1961. They had a son Kelly in 1962 and moved back to Oak Lake where Ken returned to work on the farm and driving truck for Donny Fuller. The pipeline came though Oak Lake in 1968 and for the next 50 years he worked on and off for the pipeline. His work took him from Quebec to BC and all points in between. The family moved to Souris in 1974 and he started his own construction company, Doherty Enterprises, to keep him busy between pipeline jobs. He hauled hay down to the US with his brother Brent and worked for the railroad. However the pipeline would call and would go back whenever he could. His last pipeline job was in 2018.

Ken and Marlene met in Souris and married in Kona, Hawaii in 2012. Together they built a home on the acreage outside of Souris in1996. They resided there until his illness made it no longer possible.

Ken was predeceased by his grandparents Russell and Arlie Hogg, and Nora and Thomas Doherty, his parents Ken and Eileen Doherty, his brothers Gerry and Brent, Brother in law Wilf Van Loo and his nephew Gerald.

Ken is survived by his sisters Brenda Boon (Eldon), Dale Van Loo and families. His loving wife Marlene, her children and grandchildren; Shauna McBurney (Alex Dmyterko), Preston, Brooklyn; Warren (Kim) McBurney, Shane, Trent

Ken’s son Kelly (Barb) Doherty and their children; Kristian (Kristen) and great grandson Kolby; Braden, Alexandra and Liam Doherty

Ken loved life and lived it to its fullest. He would never blow his own horn but he was always there for people who were down on their luck or having a hard time and did what he could to help them. He has friends across Canada and always made sure they had a place to sleep when they passed through town. Anybody that came to his door was guaranteed a beer and some good company. Sadly, his illness took him away from his home that he loved but Marlene made sure he was never alone. He lived a good life and had a lot of good friends and family that loved him, In the end, that’s all you can ask…

A graveside funeral service was held at the Oak Lake Cemetery on Saturday, August 19, 2023 followed by a memorial reception will be held at the Sours Legion. In memory of Ken, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society.