Ken was born in Aberdeen, Washington on April 17, 1952, and passed away at a nursing home in Redmond, Washington on Dec. 25, 2022, after a 14-year struggle with a neurological disease.

He was adopted as a newborn by John and Frances Abel of Hoquiam, Washington. He spent his childhood playing sports, being active in Boy Scouts and making many lifelong friendships. He graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1970, where he participated in four different sports and was student body president. He received his Associates Degree in 1972 from Grays Harbor College. He went on to WSU where he received a BA degree in Business Administration in 1975.

He had a successful business career as a commercial lines underwriter with 25 years at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. He also worked for Kemper, Berkshire Hathaway and Paccar. He ended his business career as a financial planner for Ameriprise Financial.

He met his wife of 44 years, Maradee, in Portland, Oregon, and they were married 16 days later on Aug. 5, 1978 in Houston, Texas after driving cross country together. They made seven moves together and finally settled in Woodinville, Washington the day before their sixth wedding anniversary in 1984. They were blessed with three children: Amanda, Elizabeth and Benjamin.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, his children: Amanda Lanning (David), Elizabeth Owen (Nicholas) and Benjamin (Rachel Morris), grandchildren; Megan and Abigail Lanning, and Oliver and Parker Owen, sisters Karen Abel and Kathy Blumberg, and several nieces and nephews.