Kenneth Vaughn Knauf

Kenneth Vaughn Knauf, 56 of Alexandria, passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Alomere Healthcare Center in Alexandria. A public visitation for Ken will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025 at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota on Monday, December 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM. 

Ken was born on January 26, 1969 to Larry and Nancy (Brown) Knauf in St. Louis, Missouri. Not long after Ken’s birth, the family relocated to Alexandria, Minnesota where his dad opened a chiropractic clinic in town. When he was four, Ken’s sister, Kelly, was born.

The family enjoyed lake life while living on Lake Darling. Ken especially loved the hunting and fishing. And while he wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to spend some time in a deer stand, his true passion was hunting for birds. When not in the field, Ken enjoyed participating in both hockey and football.

Ken graduated from Alexandria High School in 1988 and enlisted in the United States Navy. He served as medical corpsman from 1988-1992, serving a tour of duty in Iraq. Ken was not a fan of the food overseas and shocked his family upon his return when he came back so thin. His mom immediately asked what she could make for him and he responded “Taco John’s.” Maybe even more shocking than his smaller-than-normal stature, was watching Ken eat 22 tacos for his first meal home.

After returning home, Ken enrolled at Minnesota State University Moorhead, graduating with a degree in law enforcement. He soon became employed driving trucks for various companies, but spent much of his free time weightlifting and body building. This afforded him the opportunity to play for the semi-professional football team, the Mustangs, in Alexandria.

Ken’s love of sports was a lifelong passion. He loved all Minnesota teams – but especially the Vikings. When not listing to his beloved 80's music, Ken listened to sports talk radio endlessly. He could recall countless facts and statistics, like a walking encyclopedia.

Recently Ken decided to step away from trucking and was looking forward to starting a new venture with Rainbow Rider. Ken will lovingly be remembered as a dear friend and teammate, as well as a frugal minimalist. He liked to joke that everything he owns would fit into his truck, besides maybe the furniture.

Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Kelly (William) Gullickson; nephew, Chris (Maggie) Klimp; half-sister, Lori (Rodney) Ramsey; aunt, Nancy (Roger) Richards; special friends, Scott Boesen and Sharon Johnson, beloved neighbor, Robert Timm; along with many other beloved teammates, relatives, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Nancy Knauf; and uncles, Terry and Wayne Knauf.