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Kenneth LeRoy Michaelis died 24 of August 2022 in Yelm, Thurston County, Washington, at the home of his daughter, Dawn Faber. Ken was born in the hospital, the 1st of July 1944 in Hoisington, Barton County, Kansas, the loving son of Ruben Michaelis and Katherine Sophia Miller. Ken grew up on a farm Northeast of Susank, Kansas and started taking accordion lessons at a young age. When he was 8 years old he played in the popular Eddie Basgall Band to help supplement his family's income.

Ken joined the United States Army in 1962 where he was a member of the 5th Army Band located near Chicago. After his years in the Army Ken became a professional musician, arranger and  composer. Ken performed and arranged music for Eddie Basgall, Tony Albert, Red Skelton, Bob Hope, Kenny Rogers, Olivia Newton-John, and many more big names in the Country Music industry. He lived in Branson, Missouri on and off for about 30 years, where he worked with the Cajun Connection at Silver Dollar City, Shoji Tabuchi, The Osmond Brothers and most recently Lee Roy Van Dyke. Ken won several music awards during his career in Branson:  Entertainer of the year and also Keyboard player of the year.

Ken had survived his parents and siblings: Ella Mae Bender- Bushell, Victoria Bernice Ehrlich and Clifford Dean Michaelis. Ken leaves behind two daughters: Dawn Faber of Yelm, Washington  and Jackie Maxfield of Salt Lake City, Utah and 12 grandchildren.

Graveside service will be held 14th of October at 4pm at the Hoisington Cemetery.