Kenneth Sherwood

Kenneth D. "Ken" Sherwood, 95, Grand Forks, ND, died Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at his home in Grand Forks. Kenneth D Sherwood died peacefully at home on July 14, 2026. He had recently celebrated his 95th birthday with a small family party.

Ken was born in Tracy, MN to Dwight and Ida Sherwood. The family moved to Grand Forks when Dwight took a job at GF Central High School. The family lived in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood where Ken made many lifelong friends and was saddened when that area was lost during the flood of 1997. Ken graduated from Central High School in 1949 and attended the University of North Dakota, graduating with a degree in Music in 1953. At UND, Ken was a member of the SAE fraternity and while attending a fraternity party, met his future wife, Mischief Simenson. The two were married in Grand Forks on November 23, 1952. Ken served during the Korean conflict at a base in Colorado Springs, CO. After his service, the small family moved to Kansas City, MO where he attended the University of Missouri, receiving a graduate degree in Music. Ken then taught in Northome, MN, and later Warren, MN. During his time in these schools in addition to band and choir, he also taught English, History, coached football and started a marching band. The family eventually moved to Grand Forks when Ken was offered the choral director position at the new high school, Red River.

During the summer months the now family of 6, would move to Big Turtle Lake, near Bemidji. During these years the family enjoyed water sports, time with grandparents, watching MN Vikings training camp, and special times with close family friends, the Eidems.

Ken was a Grand Forks man through and through. He loved his hometown and for the majority of his 95 years he was able to live in the area he loved. Ken was a teacher. He loved his chosen profession and even after retiring he helped out with the RR music department and SPA programs. Ken worked as an interim teacher at NDSU for a number of years and at UND for one year. He attended as many high school music performances as he could and always offered praise and encouraging words to the performers. Many former students have remained in touch with him, even as many of them are entering retirement. It was not unusual to come for a visit and find a former RR or Warren student in the living room visiting with Ken and Mischief.

Ken was a gentleman, a good friend, dearly loved his wife, and a TEACHER. He taught his family to enjoy music and reading, that men can iron, and that the arts are, and always should be, important and supported in the schools and community. Ken received a number of honors in his life including the Grand Forks Teachers Hall of Fame and the NDMEA hall of fame.

Ken is survived by his four children; Connie, Grand Forks, Scott (Julie), Fargo, Bradley (Jocelyn) Grand Forks and Gail, Grand Forks, four grandchildren; Erin Sherwood (Justin Granberg) Fargo, Dylan Sherwood (Chelsa) Moorhead, MN, Ian Sherwood, Berlin, Germany and Cole Sherwood (McKinley Solberg), Biel, Switzerland along with 5 great grandchildren. he is also survived by his younger brother, Glen, Rapid City, SD.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Sherwood Scholarship at Grand Forks Foundation for Education. Information on how to make a donation may be found below.

Mail/Check:

Checks payable to the GF Foundation for Education

2400 47th Ave S, Grand Forks, ND 58201

Memo line/Note: Sherwood Scholarship

Online: 

Visit the Grand Forks Foundation for Education donation website, selecting the "Sherwood Scholarship Fund" under the I want to support drop-down menu. A clickable link may be found directly below.

Grand Forks Foundation for Education

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God be in my eyes and in my looking

God be in my mouth and in my speaking

God be in my heart and in my thinking

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Memorial Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2026, in Zion United Methodist Church, Grand Forks. Visitation will be from 11:30 to 12:30 also in the church.