Kenneth Joseph Moser, 53, of Worthington, Minnesota passed away on Monday February 27, 2017 at the Worthington Sunset Hospice Cottage following a short battle with kidney cancer.
   Ken was born on March 27th, 1963 in Wilmont, Minnesota to Don and Vi (Hoffman) Moser. Ken grew up in Wilmont and Worthington, Minnesota with his six siblings, Mary Elizabeth “Libby”, Margaret “Maggie”, Mike, Bill, Monica, and Melanie. He began his elementary education in Wilmont at Our Lady of Good Counsel and also attended Reading Elementary School, where he was a Boy Scout. After moving to Worthington, Ken entered the Worthington Public School system as a sixth grader. Never an athlete himself, Ken was always a fan and booster of his school teams. At Worthington Senior High School, he was elected Junior Class President, to the Homecoming Court, and known for DJing lobby dances, as well as the occasional prank. Ken graduated from Worthington Senior High School in 1981. Ken began his food service career at the Gobbler Café alongside his brother Bill in the kitchen. His “school job” at McDonald’s became a full time job after graduation. He worked at McDonald’s for about 15 years eventually working his way up to manager and being chosen to attend Hamburger University in Chicago. After his tenure at McDonald’s, he moved on to manage Ruttle’s and then the Worthington Country Club.  Ken also worked in heating and cooling at BTU and Schwalbach, before moving to Radio Works in 2015 as Director of Promotions and Sales.

   On May 14th, 1988, Ken married Robyn Lyn Waldner in Worthington, Minnesota. Ken was a lifelong Minnesota Twins fan. He was a dart league player for 25 years, helping organize leagues, tournaments and team trips. 

   Ken was very active in the Worthington community. He has served on the board of CCSI since 1999 and as President of the board for the last 12 years. He joined the Worthington Windsurfing Regatta and Music Festival as a committee member in 2010 and has served as President since 2013.  Ken was also involved with the Worthington Convention & Visitors Bureau as a board member (1995-2001), chairperson (1998) and on the Sports & Recreation committee. Ken served on the United Way Board of Directors (1996-2001) and as President of the Board 1999-2000.  Ken was serving a second stint in the Ambassadors Club of the Worthington Chamber of Commerce 2015 – present.  Ken served on the Worthington Planning and Zoning Commission.  Ken lead the campaign for the municipal “Half Cent Sales Tax” that resulted in the development of the Worthington Event Center and the remodel of Memorial Auditorium lobby.  Ken worked on the restoration of the Dayton House while at BTU and helped raise funds for Sunset Cottage Hospice, where he spent his last days.

   Ken will also always be remembered and appreciated for the time and dedication he put into caring for his parents and other elderly individuals who needed a bit of help.  When his mother Vi, two of her brothers and their spouses wanted to travel to Colorado for the funeral of their youngest brother, Ken promptly borrowed a van and became the chauffeur and trip organizer to make it happen.

   A winner of numerous awards over the years, Ken was most proud of those bestowed for his community service work. Ken will be remembered for his infectious smile, warm hugs, compassionate and nurturing spirit and his mentoring of so many young people, especially during the McDonald’s years.

   Ken is survived by his wife, Robyn, Mesa, his beloved Bichon Frise, parents-in-law, Ray and Diane Waldner of Worthington, MN, brother-in-law Stephen Waldner of Kansas City, KS; sister Libby Hayes (Patrick) of Overland Park, KS, sister Maggie Gray (Steven) of Nelson, NZ, brother Mike Moser (Joan) of Minneapolis, MN, and sister Melanie Moser of Seattle, WA. He is also survived by seven nieces and nephews: Abe Gray, Sophie Ricketts, Lexi Hafften, Eliana Gray, Hannah and Molly Hayes, and Luciana Blume; many cousins including Paul Hoffman and Julie Justie; uncle Stan Hoffman and aunt Charlotte Andrews. He was preceded in death by his sister Monica (November 1972), father Don (October 2000), cousin Cathy Hoffman (March 2007), brother Bill (September 2008), mother Vi (February 2014) and sister-in-law Melanie Peck Moser (January 2015).

   A memorial service at the Worthington Event Center will be held on March 1, 2017 at 7 pm.  A 3-hour time of fellowship (4-7 pm) will precede the Memorial Service.  A private burial service will be held at a later date.

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