He passed away peacefully at Gardens of Carleton near his son’s home with family by his side. He will be greatly missed, but we are comforted by the fact that he is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his wife, son and other cherished family members.

Ken was born on October 25, 1936, to Albert W. and Julia R. Janda (Nink) at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan.

Ken is survived by his son Chris (Dusti) of Carleton, Trent’s Widow Lynita Janda of Traverse City. Grandchildren; Meghan, Amanda, Breanna Polk (Caleb), Matthew (Alyssa), Hayden, Analiese and great grandchildren Ellie and Barry Polk.

Ken was preceded in death by his eldest son Trenton A. (2022), his loving wife of 55 years, Janet K. Janda (Boone) (2022), his sister JoAnne M. Nolf ( Janda) (2013) father Albert W. (1980) and mother Julia R. (Nink) Janda (1993).

Ken graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1955, where he was involved in Student Council, Baseball, Cross-country, Ski Club and Junior Red Cross. Ken was the first in his family to attend college, and while at it, he started to work for Michigan Bell as a Lineman, then enlisted in the Army (1958). Ken spent 3 years in the Army, achieving the rank of Sergeant and serving as a station Commander at Microwave Relay Site 4 (102nd Signal BN) in Bambergerhof Germany. After returning home, Ken went back to work for Michigan Bell as a Toll Test Technician, where he retired after 37 years of dedicated service. At Michigan Bell, he was awarded a Michigan Bell Good Citizen award for his hard work, dedication and cost-saving initiatives, saving the company hundreds of thousands of dollars.

On May 27, 1967, he married Janet K. Janda (Boone) and bought a home and 4 rental units on Cedar Run Road in Traverse City. A year later (1968), they had their son Trenton A., and then Christopher M. (1972) and lived there until 1978 when he built his dream home on Shoreside Drive in Leelanau County. This is the house that he designed in study hall in high school, where they lived until 2004 when they downsized and built their retirement home on Thiel Rd. in Long Lake Township and lived there until Jan’s passing in 2022.

Ken had a challenging upbringing and learned at a young age to be selfsupporting and frugal but not selfish. He was very keen on making sure the Janda name was held in high-standing and not tarnished. Ken had a passion for serving others and was involved with the Jaycees, Telephone Pioneers of America, Michigan Make-a-Wish, Talking Books for the Blind, and many other organizations. All who knew Ken knew that he could fix just about anything and would do so for anyone. They also knew that he and Jan were very hard workers, generous with their time, always did everything together and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. In their retirement years, they wintered many years in Florida with the Volm’s and Veile’s and traveled with lifelong friends George and Alice Gates and Lynn and June Rayle.

Ken was a man of great faith and conviction. He was heavily involved with his church, First Christian Church of Traverse City, now known as Creekside Community Church. He served in many roles from Elder to Congregation President to Buildings & Grounds.

In Ken’s words “My accomplishments were not meant to brag but to show my commitment to try to repay my Heavenly Father for all the many blessings bestowed upon me.” while referencing Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:3-5. Ken’s legacy is that he lived a faithful Christian life with his wife Jan and raised to successful Christian sons.

A Memorial will be held at Creekside Community Church, 3686 S. Airport Rd W, Traverse City, MI 49684 on April 26, 2025 at 9:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to Creekside Community Church of Traverse City, Focus on the Family or Answers in Genesis.

Condolences may be shared with Ken’s family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.