Kenneth L. Cornelius, 61

Kenneth L. Cornelius passed away March 28, 2022, at Logan Health in Kalispell after sustaining serious injuries from a bicycle accident. He was surrounded by the love of his wife and children.

Ken was born in Ronan on Nov. 5, 1960, to Lawrence and Lorraine (Salomon) Cornelius as the fifth and youngest child in the family. He grew up on his father’s dairy farm in Round Butte and graduated from Ronan High School in 1979. He began college at Montana State University but returned to Ronan to run Cornelius Cattle Co. He sold the dairy herd in 1998 and continued to farm the land until 2019. He ran the farm as efficiently as possible and loved being outside with the view of the Mission Mountains.

He married his high school sweetheart, Renae Sampson, on Sept. 8, 1984, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was a devoted husband and father to their two daughters, Brooke and Lindsey, and they enjoyed many family adventures together.

Ken loved being outdoors, especially in the Mission Mountain Range. He climbed nearly every peak and even skied the backcountry as time allowed. His friends and family joined him as he enjoyed hiking, skiing, kayaking, bicycling, fishing, rafting, hunting, photography, and he taught those skills to anyone willing so they could have their own adventures.

He was nicknamed “Yukon Cornelius,” and it was well known that he wouldn’t slow down for anyone, so plan accordingly. He would share his routes with anyone who dared, and sometimes the instructions included going off trail where “The turn is here in the brush, and you just have to know.'' He loved Grey Wolf Peak, Piper Lake, Lucifer Lake and a certain spot where you must crawl on your belly through a hole rimmed with mountain goat hair as those creatures do the same. He was known to summit the tallest peaks and call his friends when cellphone reception allowed just to say, “Hello, down there!''

Ken got a natural high from helping his fellow adventurers to push their own limits and accomplish what they didn’t perceive as possible. He volunteered for Lake County Search and Rescue for years and would drop everything to help when the call came in. One skill he taught was how to repel off the granaries on the farm. He would put Brooke and Lindsey in the harnesses, telling them that he trusted their skills enough to bring his own daughters down. He continued his adventures with his treasured grandchildren, who carry on some of his traits including hiking off trail, bicycling and skiing through the trees.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Lorraine Cornelius. He is survived by his wife, Renae, and the families of his daughters: Brooke and Jerry Nahring, with children Luke and Elaina, and Lindsey and Sage Dorrington, with their children, Rosalind, Eloise, Genevieve and James. He is also survived by his four siblings: Carlene (Gene) Vey, Diana Cornelius, Kathy Cornelius and Bill (Marla) Cornelius, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family extends deep gratitude to his loyal friends who immediately helped Ken after his accident, as well as those who sent their love and prayers during our time of need. Their skill and care allowed him to have his last wishes granted and to say goodbye to his family.

Funeral services for Ken will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2022, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson, with burial to follow at the Ronan Cemetery. A prayer vigil will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, April 1 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ronan. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.shriderthompson.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home.