Kenneth Herman Amdall 1925 - 2021
Kenneth Herman Amdall passed away peacefully at home on April 23, 2021, after a brief illness. Kenneth was born June 29, 1925 in Princeton, MN, to Herman and Lucille (Krelberg) Amdall.
Kenneth grew up on three different farms near Princeton, MN, and married his high school sweetheart, Betty Marie (Umbehocker) Amdall, on July 27, 1946. Betty passed away peacefully on April 14, 2015. Kenneth and Betty enjoyed 68 years together, traveled the world, and lived in over 30 locations including: Caracas, Venezuela; Fort Dodge, Iowa; Kansas City, Missouri; and, since 1977, Naperville, Illinois.
Kenneth is survived by two children, John (Sharon) Amdall and Eileen (Asimios) Malliakos. Kenneth is also survived by his two grandchildren, Elizabeth Malliakos and Christina (Joshua Knepper) Malliakos.
Preceding him in death are his parents and one brother, Roger Amdall.
Kenneth has had the privilege of sharing the past several years with his friend, Helen Zenisek, who survives and lives in Lockport, IL.
Kenneth attended the University of Minnesota for 1 year beginning July 1943 and then transferred to University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, where he graduated with a Civil Engineering Degree in March 1946 at the age of 20. This was 2 years and 8 months after graduating from high school, since he went to school year-round with the Navy. Kenneth completed a short tour on the destroyer US Columbia with the Navy in the North Atlantic and was honorably discharged in July 1946.
Kenneth and Betty were always ready to travel and to meet new people. Kenneth and Betty enjoyed an annual fishing trip to Minnesota, played bridge several times each month, and enjoyed square dancing.
Kenneth’s first career was for 14 years as a seismologist exploring for oil at 30+ locations within the United States and 6 years in Venezuela.
Kenneth’s second career was for 28 years as an engineer, becoming the paper mill technical expert with United States Gypsum.
After Kenneth retired from USG in 1988, Betty and Kenneth explored the option of relocating, but decided that Naperville, IL, offered the best opportunities.
Kenneth decided to pursue a law career, passed the Illinois Bar Exam, and practiced law working as a lawyer from his home in Naperville, IL, for 26 years.
Kenneth’s earthly body is returning to his childhood home to Princeton, MN, where a private family burial will be held at Oak Knoll Cemetery on May 7, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, please join with us in supporting the Amdall Room at the Mille Lacs County Historical Society in Princeton, MN.
Arrangements entrusted to Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540. For more information, please call 630-355-0213 or www.friedrich-jones.com