Kenneth Casper Wergeland

Kenneth Casper Wergeland, age 78, died on November 7, 2026. He was born on August 4, 1948 to Casper and Dorothy Wergeland in Superior, WI. Ken graduated from Superior High School in 1966. Ken married the love of his life, Mary Washnesky, on July 11, 1970. In their 56 years together, they welcomed three sons, Jody, Eric, and Kevin, and were blessed with their daughters-in-law Jeni, Annarie, and Sarah. Ken and Mary were delighted to welcome seven grandchildren, Rowan, Samuel, Ameia, William, Alden, Aaron, and Owen and granddog, Ruby, into their family.

During his life Ken spent many years professionally drafting and computing for companies around the Duluth area and he retired from Enbridge Energy in 2004. Ken loved collecting historical artifacts and memorabilia and participated in Rendezvous reenactments of the fur-trapping era. He had a lifelong love of motorcycles. He enjoyed many hobbies and was known to family and friends as a “tinkerer” with many projects from working the motorcycle pits at Brainerd International Raceway, building and rebuilding small engines, restoring classic motorcycles, to creating beautiful Indigenous beadwork designs, jewelry, and artifacts. His creativity and artistry were an important part of his life as he was an enrolled member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Ken was an avid outdoorsman enjoying many years with dear friends and family camping, target shooting, hunting in the Northwoods, and fishing in lakes in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He and Mary cherished long summer days at Lake Chippewa Campground in Hayward, WI for over thirty years.

He was a life-long blood donor and served his neighbors through countless hours of snowblowing. In recent years, he brought joy to children and adults by dressing up as Santa as he rang the Salvation Army bell at Mount Royal Market.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Casper and Dorothy (Young) Wergeland and his brothers Keith Wergeland and half-brothers, Roy and Earl Johnson.

The family would like to thank the Essentia Health ICU staff, Cardiology and Oncology departments and the pastors of Peace UCC, for their wonderful care shown to Ken and his family.

Through it all, his greatest joy was his family. He will be tremendously missed by his family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday November 21, at 2:00pm at Peace United Church of Christ, with a visitation being an hour prior to the service.