Kenneth was born in Highland Park, MI and grew up in Royal Oak, MI. He was the son of William Nicoli and Vilma (Palonen) Heikkinen, and brother to his sister, Kathy. Both sets of his grandparents were Finnish immigrants to Upper Michigan and Ken loved spending time at the family farm in Chatham and the lake cottage near Marquette, MI.

Ken was an avid baseball player growing up. By age 12, he began playing on local leagues and eventually went to tryouts for the Minor Leagues as a young man. He played catcher and was also a strong hitter. He went on to play baseball for Western Michigan University during college years as a catcher.

Ken graduated from Western Michigan University in 1964 with Bachelor of Science degree. He pursued a Master of Arts Degree in School Administration from Eastern Michigan University in 1969.

Ken had a fulfilling professional career. He began as a Lutheran School teacher, a community school director, a community agent for the war on poverty, a public school jr. high school and high school principal, and eventually Pickford Public Schools Superintendent and Onekama Public Schools Superintendent. He also taught snowmobile safety and coached baseball for several years. He enjoyed lifelong friendships with many former players that he coached.

Ken also had a happy and fulfilling life with his wife, Kate and three children, Sven, Amy and Emily. Their desire to raise their children in Upper Michigan drew them to the small town of Pickford, where they lived on 10 acres. They were outdoor enthusiasts and enjoyed family time snowmobiling, motorcycling, horseback riding, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Ken taught his children SISU...Finnish for guts and determination. He is quoted ,“Whatever you start, you finish.” He was a loving and proud father. Ken was a motorcycle enthusiast and rode well into retirement age and went on annual extended trips with friends.

Ken was blessed with five grandchildren, Kirsi, Kinzie, Kaija, Kaleb and Liam. He was very proud of each one of them and loved them very much. May we always remember and appreciate Ken for the honorable, special and unique man he was.

Donations can be made to either of the following in memorial:

Sven Heikkinen Engineering Scholarship
c/o LSSU Foundation
650 W. Eastern Ave.
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Contact : Sharon L. Dorrity Ph. (906) 635-2665

United Way of the Eastern Upper Penninsula
PO Box 451
Sault Ste. Marie. MI 49783
Contact : Barbara Reed
Ph. (906) 632-3700 ext. 1
( note on check "in memory of Ken Heikkinen"

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