Kenneth Elmer Silha, 69, of Bowman, ND passed away on February 22, 2016 at CHI St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck, ND surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services for Ken will be at 10:00 am MST Saturday, February 27, 2016 at St. Charles Catholic Church in Bowman, ND. Father David Morman will officiate with burial at St. Charles Catholic Cemetery. Reception to follow at the 4-Seasons Pavilion. A Rosary will be held at 5:30 pm MST Friday, February 26, 2016 at the Krebsbach & Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel. Friends and family Vigil at 7:30 pm MST at St. Charles.

Ken E. Silha was born on August 1, 1946 in Dickinson, ND, the son of Elmer and Verna (Holden) Silha. At age 3, Ken survived a car accident and lengthy coma, leaving a loss of vision in one eye; doctors called him a miracle child. Ken joked that it took him 11 years to get through the 8th grade. He started Buffalo #2 Country School in a playpen with his mother as his teacher. Ken graduated from Bowman High School in 1964. He attended NDSU in Fargo earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics. Ken was President of FarmHouse Fraternity, Treasurer of Alpha Zeta Honor Society, and was involved in numerous other collegiate organizations and recipient of many awards. Ken met his wife, Julie Borstad, over a poker table – they always debated over who won or lost the game. The two were united in marriage August 23, 1969 in Tioga, ND. Ken continued to work on his Masters degree until the untimely death of his father. Ken and Julie took over the family farm in Bowman and raised three children: Denalie, Karnon, and Lacie. Ken was a steward of the land and continued to farm and ranch throughout his life.

In 1989, Ken and Julie renovated an old hotel in Bowman and started the Cottonwood Cove Eatery and Dacotah Winds Gift Shop. Ken started working with Nodak Mutual Insurance as an agent and a registered securities representative. Ken retired after 20 years of service.

Ken loved Bowman and did everything he could do to better the community. Ken served as President of the Fair Board and was inducted into the ND Fairs Hall of Fame after serving as President of the ND Association of Fairs. Ken was instrumental in the original planning and fundraising of the 4-Seasons Pavilion. He served as 4-H leader, 4-H Council President, President of the FFA Advisory Council, President of the Bowman Lions Club, charter member of the Four Seasons Educational Assn., President of the Western Dakota Livestock Assn., Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Trustee at St. Charles Church, and Chairman of the Board for Sunset Health Care. Most recently, Ken was a member of the Bowman County Development Corp, the Pioneer Trails Regional Museum Board, the Bowman County Rural Ambulance District building committee, member of Slope County Senior Citizens and a volunteer with the Slope County Food Pantry.

Ken loved NDSU football and attended the 5th National Championship game in TX. Ken enjoyed reading financial publications; hosting gatherings at the farm; geocaching; photography; nicknaming, teasing and writing witty emails to his children and grandkids; composing the annual Christmas letter (entertaining, though not always fully truthful); shooting hoops; and had a budding interest in painting.

In his spare time, Ken spearheaded CHUMPS Investment Club and loved projects at home, including his 9-hole Prairie ParTee Golf Course and resurrecting the Cedar Winds Cemetery located on the family farm.

Ken will be remembered for the twinkle in his eye (from well-played shenanigans), his kindness and generosity towards others, his unmatched wit, his love of family, and life of faith.

Ken is survived by his wife Julie of Bowman, ND; daughter Denalie (Brad) Morrison, Minot, ND; son Karnon Silha, Bowman, ND; daughter Lacie (Todd) Van Orman, Bismarck, ND; three grandchildren: Kamryn, Kylee, and Collins; sister Audrey (Duane) Wegner, Mobridge, SD; niece Susan Wegner, Bismarck, ND; and nephew Perry Wegner (special friend Lori McCarty), Spearfish, SD. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Verna and Elmer Silha.