Kenneth Lersten

Kenneth (Ken) Carl Lersten, 86, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2024 with his son and daughter at his side.

Ken was born on July 24, 1938, in Chicago to Einar and Elvira Lersten, immigrants to the United States from Värmland Province in Sweden. He was a devoted son, husband, and father who gave of himself to others and the community. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Nels Ronald Lersten of Ames, Iowa. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Sonia Lersten, his children Thomas Lersten and Kristina Lersten Sakamoto, his eight grandchildren Stefan Sakamoto, Colin Sakamoto, Ben Sakamoto, Mia Sakamoto, Nikolas Lersten, Andrew Lersten, Alexandra Lersten, and Annika Lersten. Ken was blessed with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews in the United States and in Sweden.

In his earlier years, Ken earned a Bachelor of Arts from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and then earned both a Master of Arts degree and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of California, Berkeley. He subsequently became a professor of anatomy and physiology at the University of Southern California (USC), before leaving congested Los Angeles in 1971 to become a professor at the University of New Mexico, where he and Sonia began a love affair with Albuquerque and the Desert Southwest. Nonetheless, Ken remained a diehard Trojans fan the rest of his life. Seeking a professional change and because he loved teaching, Ken became a Certified Financial Planner and investment broker for about 44 years helping clients achieve financial independence, most recently with Wells Fargo Advisors.

Ken epitomized the student-athlete, serving as captain of both Augustana's football and baseball teams, setting school records. Following college he discovered basketball served as his true passion, and he remained active in the sport into his 60s, playing competitively in the NM Senior Olympics. His grandchildren will forever reminisce their time with their morfar/farfar on the driveway basketball court.

As a first-generation Swedish-American, Ken remained proud of his heritage his entire life and shared it abundantly with others. Along with his wife, Sonia, also a first-generation Swede, they founded the Scandinavian Club of Albuquerque in 1973 to promote Nordic culture and customs, which continues to this day. Ken's mother Elvira taught him the importance of community service based on her experience during The Great Depression, and it formed part of his DNA. For years he volunteered, kept active in his church life assuming leadership positions, and served Albuquerque as a member of both the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, 10 am on January 18, at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, located at 5301 Ponderosa Avenue NE in Albuquerque. The family would like to thank Visiting Angels for their loving care and support of Ken. In lieu of flowers family is requesting that donations in Ken's memory be made to the following organizations: St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Los Altos Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque, Rotary Club of Albuquerque, and Children's Grief Center of New Mexico.