Kenneth Loren Fogelstrom

Kenneth Loren Fogelstrom, 93, of Hamden, CT died peacefully on Monday, July 21, 2025. He was the beloved husband of the late Mary Ellen (Counsell) Foglestrom. Ken was born on November 4, 1931 to Walter and Mathilde (Kirsch) Fogelstrom of Crow Wing County, Minnesota.

He joined the U.S. Air Force and served as a morse code specialist and radio operator during the Korean War.

Upon his return, he met Mary Ellen Counsell and the couple married in the bride’s homewtown of Omaha, Nebraska.

Over the years, Ken enjoyed inventing, tinkering, and repairing vacuum cleaners and sewing machines in his small shop in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He built his family home with his own hands and faithfully worked for his wife and two children. He had a soft spot for the down-and-out and would give them the shirt off of his back.

His “mean looking” exterior hid a kind and prayerful soul who was deeply concerned for the wellbeing of others. A man of very few words, he was hard to get to know, but those who bothered to try were eventually rewarded.

He is predeceased by his mother Mathilde, who passed shortly after his birth, his father Walter, his son Kenneth Andrew Fogelstrom, his great-grandchild Haley Kay Shubert, and his wife Mary Ellen Fogelstrom. He is survived by his daughter Amy Sue Chai and her husband Dr. Toby Chai of North Haven, five grandchildren, Bradley Andrew Fogelstrom, Lori Renee (Matt) Largent, Kristin (Andrew) Shubert, Nathan (Kendyl) Chai and Hannah Chai, and four great grandchildren, Ethan Shubert, Natalie Shubert, Ellie Largent and Caleb Largent.

Ken’s family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, July 25th from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 4 Washington Ave., North Haven. A funeral service will take place at the funeral home at 1:00 p.m., the Rev, Ryan Mills officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Cheshire Hills Cemetery, Cheshire. www.washingtonmemorialfh.com

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