Kenneth John Leland, 95, of Superior, WI, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2026, surrounded by his three children, at New Perspective in Superior. Born May 27,1931, in Superior, WI to Anne (Larsen) and John Leland who were both born in Norway. Ken was immensely proud of his loving and hard-working parents and of his Norwegian Heritage; modestly stating that he was a First Generation American.

Ken was an exceptional husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, principal, athlete, and patriot. He was an outstanding basketball player at Superior East High School, graduating in 1949. Next, he sailed the Great Lakes for one season prior to joining the USAF. Ken was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1952 and retired as a Colonel in 1991. He became a member of the 148th Fighter Wing with the Air National Guard in Duluth, MN. Ken graduated from Wisconsin State College (now UWS) with a degree in Elementary Education in 1956 and was hired by the Superior School District. While at UWS he continued to excel at basketball. He earned his Masters Degree in Elementary Administration from UWS in 1966. Ken was a principal at nearly every elementary school in Superior and retired after 35 years. These busy years were made even busier as he coached and refereed countless high school and college basketball games and also refereed the Wisconsin State Basketball Tournaments.

Ken was a Weapons System Operator, flying in numerous fighters finishing with the F4 Phantom. He was then assigned to the MN National Guard State Staff, in Minneapolis prior to his retirement.

In 1954 after meeting in college, Ken married Sandra “Sandy” Benson and together they raised three children: Susan, Chip and Bunny. Sadly, Sandy passed away in 1999 after a courageous battle with cancer. Together they enjoyed traveling and summers at the family lake home at Whitefish Lake. In retirement Ken and Sandy wintered in Las Vegas and spent their summers in the Northland. After Sandy’s passing, he bought a home in North Las Vegas where he spent his winters for over twenty years playing golf, cards and volunteering at the Las Vegas International Airport. In 2022 he returned to Superior to be near his family.

His favorite colors were red, white and blue! Ken was kind, had a positive attitude, encouraged people, passed along words of wisdom and tried to make people feel good and be their best. He loved children and wanted them all to be well educated, secure and good citizens.

Ken was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church and served on the church council. He was also a member of the American Legion, Gordon WI, PTA life member, past President of the Optimist Club, FEX Fraternity, Master Mason Itasca Lodge, and Imperial Shrine AAD Temple Duluth.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sandy; and brother, Robert.

Ken is survived by his three children, Susan (Ron) Seningen, Chip (Bonnie) Leland, and Bunny (Neal) O ‘Shaughnessy; eight grandchildren, Justin (Andrea) Seningen, Cassandra (Chris) Rooney, Eric (Abbey) Leland, Jonathan (Heather) Leland, Hannah (Keegan) Ilenda, Abigail (Dan) Gableman, Matthew (Brecken) O’Shaughnessy, and Aaron O’Shaughnessy; and 15 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Lillian Peterson; sister-in-law, Joan Leland; brother-in-law, Dave (Karin) Benson; and many nieces and nephews.

Our family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the kind and exceptional care provided to Ken by Drs George Holliday and Lloyd Ketchum, and the Essentia Hospice Team.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, September 11, at Downs Life Celebration Center at 1902 N. 34th St in Superior with Visitation at 10:00AM and a service at 11:00AM followed by a luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial of your choice.