Kenneth E. Hickel
BILLINGS — Ken Hickel, a Flathead Lake summer resident, was received by his Lord Jesus on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007, from his earthly home at St. John’s Moorberg Cottage. Ken had been lovingly cared for at the Moorberg Cottage since August 2005 as he dealt with advancing Alzheimers Disease.
Ken was born at home July 27, 1927, to Alfie and Hilda Hickel in Wolf Point. He was the middle of five children and from an early age, he exhibited his lifelong sense of humor, self-motivation and strong work ethic. (His dad called him his “going somewhere son.”) He started working in the sixth grade and didn’t stop until his retirement from business in 2004.
Ken put himself through the University of Montana starting in 1942. His education was interrupted by a three-year stint in the Navy from 1943-1946. He was stationed at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Corona, Calif., where he became a physical therapist. This training proved to be pivotal; from then on, Ken’s life was involved with meeting the needs of others. Upon discharge from the Navy, he returned to the U of M where he completed his studies in psychology, philosophy, business administration, and physical and biological sciences in 1949.
The first years of Ken’s work life were focused on providing rehabilitation services for disabled children and adults. From 1950-1959, he was the executive director for the Montana Society for Crippled Children and Adults based in Billings. He also organized and directed statewide mobile speech and hearing clinics, directed summer camps, lobbied for the first special education legislation adopted in the state and trained teachers for disabled children in the public schools. In 1959, Ken and his family moved to California where he took a position as the director for Crippled Children and Adults in San Francisco. However, he and his wife Barbara, missed their beloved Montana terribly and longed to return. Ken left that position in 1963 and through a Billings contact found his future business partner and friend, Buzz Gibb. Buzz wanted to put a motel in Billings, and Ken wanted to co-own and manage it!
Thus began the second chapter of Ken’s work life. He, Barbara and Buzz opened the Best Western Ponderosa Inn, Bonanza Lounge and Sambo’s Restaurant in Billings in 1966. From then on, Ken’s work life was dedicated to enhancing lodging and tourism in Billings, the state, the country and internationally as well as providing a nurturing workplace for his employees.
He especially enjoyed his tenure with the Best Western organization as its president, board chairman, and board member for several years. Ken, Barbara, and friends Bill and Connie Lowe opened a second Ponderosa Inn in Great Falls in 1970.
Ken is remembered by his family as a truly gentleman who saw the best in others and loved his Lord, his family, his friends, roses, cookies, traveling, Flathead Lake, Montana in general, and fish everywhere.
Ken is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara; his daughters, Debbie (Mike) Olson of Billings, and Kissy (Tom) Holtz of Minnesota; his grandchildren, Dan and Kelly (from Debbie) and Laurie, Kenny and Heather (from Kissy); his great-granddaughter, Taylor (from Dan); his and Barbara’s sponsored Chinese children, Laisin Cheung (Chicago), Jonathan, Adam and Albert (Hong Kong); his sister, Hazel Coe (Arizona), nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and dear friends.
A celebration of Ken’s life will be held Friday, Feb. 9, 11 a.m. at American Lutheran Church, 5 Lewis Ave. Billings. It will be preceded by a private interment and followed by a luncheon at the church. The family encourages memorials to the new cottage model of care at St. John’s Lutheran Foundation 3940 Rimrock Road, Billings, MT 59102.