Kenneth Duane Noel

Kenneth Duane Noel, age 92, entered Heaven on October 21, 2025. Ken joined Esther, his beloved wife of 67 years, and the throng of loved ones who entered the pearly gates before him. Ken passed away with the love of his family members, his personal care assistants from Grace Angels (Robert, Naw, Rosemary, Jane & Hla), and under the care of St. Croix Hospice. Ken lived the past three years at Aurora on France in Edina. He and Esther spent the previous 25 years in Naples, FL. Ken, along with Esther, were proud 50+ year residents of Eden Prairie, MN. Ken was born Dec. 10, 1932 in Sioux Falls, SD. He was one of four children of Wes and Thelma Noel. Ken was a distinguished, talented, and accomplished lifelong athlete. He excelled in Football, Baseball and Basketball since a young child. Ken was particularly delighted when his American Legion Team won the 1948 State Championship. The coup de grâce occurred when he and his teammates each received a coveted baseball signed by the legendary Babe Ruth. Ken held onto that ball the rest of his life. Ken was a natural born leader with his amiable style, easy smile, good humor, and innate leadership skills. Ken was involved in many activities including President of Washington High School Student Council in High school, a leader in Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and Captain of various sports teams in both high school and college. As a result of Ken's outstanding athletic achievements, Ken was inducted into the Washington High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. Esther, though a year behind Ken, was a Varsity cheerleader who enthusiastically cheered Ken on at his various high school athletic events. However, their love story didn't begin until they were at the university together. With a football scholarship in hand, Ken attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Ken met the love of his life, Esther Sunderman, when she worked as a waitress at the local malt shop. Ken was smitten, and "all in" when he saw the "most beautiful woman I've ever seen." It was an instantaneous and sustaining connection. They married on January 29, 1955. Their first child, daughter Deb, was born nearly a year later. Ken graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business from USD and completed the ROTC program. Ken's first assignment was as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Tank Division, in Fort Knox, Ky. In 1958, they welcomed their second daughter, Sue. Ken completed his tour of duty with the Army and moved to Minneapolis to work for Community Credit (CCC) in 1959, when their son, Brad, was born. Ken was a quick study. He started at the bottom of the rung, but he quickly worked his way up the proverbial corporate ladder. Ken was promoted to Branch Manager in 1960. In 1978, Ken was appointed President and COO of Community Credit Company, successfully aiding and nurturing the expansion of offices across the metro, Minnesota and Wisconsin. His children even worked in the business, as they earned their way through college. Ultimately, his son, Brad, and grandsons, Alan and Adam, followed in Ken's footsteps, continuing in the finance industry and maintaining the legacy. Ken's business acumen and integrity were hallmarks of his professional career. Ken mentored scores of young people and shepherded them to successful careers within the field of finance at Community Credit and beyond. Ken retired in 1995 after CCC was purchased by Norwest Finance, which were then subsumed by Wells Fargo. Ken and Esther shared a passion for travel. They relished their international cruises, multiple trips across Europe and the USA. Ken and Esther were fabulous entertainers and enjoyed hosting family and friends, especially at the holidays. Ken was known for adopting Santa's red suit, jingling Reindeer bells and sharing his ebullient Ho-Ho-Ho's with family and friends. Ken was an avid golfer and was one of the original first 100 members of Olympic Hills Golf Club. Ken enjoyed fishing in Canada and in northern Minnesota, and one of his largest catches remains mounted on a board, adding to Ken's penchant for sharing fishing stories. Ken was an actively involved member of the Eden Prairie United Methodist Church since 1968. Whether it was ushering or chairing the fundraising committee for the church building fund, dad was a palpable presence at the church. Ken and Esther supported the church in a multitude of ways, personally funding the purchase of hymnals, Bibles, Choir robes, and the church's Grand piano, in honor of Esther's mom. Despite all of Ken's myriad accomplishments and successes, it was Ken's love for God and his family which fueled his life and guided his path. Ken was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Although the family is comforted knowing Ken is at peace, his laughter, wisdom, counsel, guidance, and advice will be sorely missed. Ken was preceded in death by his wife Esther Lena (Sunderman), parents, Wesley John Noel and Thelma Esther (Bluhm), sister Beverley, her husband, Curt Skancke and their son, David, infant sister, Connie, brother, Wesley and wife, Phyllis, and their son, Chad. Ken is survived by his daughters Deb (Rick) Karulf, and Sue Noel, son Brad (Tara) Noel, grandchildren Erik (Mandi) Karulf; Mike (Jenna) Potter, Justin (Amanda) Potter, Matt (Tara) Potter, and Morgan Potter; Adam (Michelle) Noel, Sami Noel (Chris Gipple), Alan Noel, and nine great-grandchildren: Owen & Zeli Karulf, Andrew & Thomas Potter, Lily & Allison Potter, Olivia Noel, Bradley & Cole Noel, nephews and nieces, Steve (Nancy) Skancke, Sandy Skancke Martinek, Carolyn (Rob) Kolhoff, Maryanne (Paul) Gibson and Sara (Horace) Bladon; Craig Noel and Vicki Mangione. Funeral services will be held November 14, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Eden Prairie Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel, 7625 Mitchell Road. Live streaming is available via the funeral home's website. Visitation will be held at 12:00 PM, one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service, at Eden Prairie Cemetery: 8810 Eden Prairie Road. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ken Noel's name are preferred to the following: The PROP Shop of Eden Prairie: 15195 Martin Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, or the Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools: 8100 School Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Eden Prairie 952-975-0400

Tributes

Kenneth Duane Noel

December 10, 1932 - October 21, 2025

Tributes

Kenneth Duane Noel

December 10, 1932 - October 21, 2025

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