Kenneth Dale Lien

Kenneth Dale Lien passed away at home in Huntley, Illinois under the care of hospice care and care from his wife, Sherry (Twarling) Lien. Ken previously resided in Fargo N.D.

Ken was born on July 21, 1946, in Grafton N.D. to his parents Dorothy (Durkin) Lien and Harvey Lien.

Ken was the eldest child of three. His sister Shirley Shafer had preceded him in death. Brother Dan Lien is the only surviving child. Ken married his first wife, Shirley Hendricksen of Fargo on March 6th, 1968, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fargo. They had one son, Bradley Lien.

Ken attended Shanley High School in Fargo and was a member of Holy Spirit Church in Fargo.

Ken was an avid game player. It could be cards, backgammon, solitaire, blackjack or poker. He also enjoyed duck and deer hunting season.

Ken worked at Fargo Glass and Paint when he was first married. And he took on a part-time job dealing blackjack and poker. Many of the card players encouraged Ken to open his own full-time licensed charitable gaming distributorship in the state of N.D. Ken started Lien Games in his garage in 1979. His mother Dorothy was his first employee. Lien Games continued to grow and became the largest distributor in the state for many years. Ken was most proud of all the good that he and the N.D. Charities did for all the citizens, towns and organizations in N.D.

Ken was also one of the original members of the NDSU Road Warriors. Ken and the Road Warriors would travel to the NDSU games all over the nation. Ken also played in the Las Vegas World Poker Championship and lasted two days.

Ken met his second wife Sherry Twarling years after his first wife Shirley had passed. Ken and Sherry married in Fargo on October 25, 2010. Sherry has two daughters named Stephanie Twarling (Alan Gromer), and son Michael. And Jacqueline Sigrist (Paul Sigrist) and daughters Elizabeth and Eliza. Sherry’s family brought much joy to Ken.
Ken enjoyed trips to Illinois to see Sherry’s brothers and sister and sisters-in-laws and her children and grandchildren. And they all enjoyed taking summer trips up to Ken’s lake home in Pelican Lake, MN. Ken would be busy up in the garage making Corn Hole Bag Boards or making custom original bird houses that are still in use in their home in Huntley IL. Sherry’s kids gave Ken a surprise gift one summer. He was given a portable microphone headset so he could give “Three Hour Tours” of Pelican Lake while driving the pontoon! Fortunately, the pontoon made it back home to its’ dock after each tour!

Ken was always larger than life! He lived hard and played hard. But he always had a kind loving heart. Certainly, a generous friend who cared and listened.