Age: 69
December 17, 1953 – May 28, 2023
Ken’s family will host a celebration of life on Sunday, June 25th, 2023, at Albany Pioneer Grounds in Albany, Minnesota. There will be a service at 1:00pm followed by a meal and time to share memories. Please dress casually – Ken wouldn’t have wanted you to get dressed up just for him.
Kenneth Jon Zitur, age 69, of Avon, Minnesota, passed away on May 28th, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer.
More often known as Ken, Kenny, cowboy Ken, Iron Man, or “the blacksmith”, he was born on December 17th, 1953, to Alois and Wanda (Opitz) Zitur in St. Cloud, MN. After graduating from Apollo High School in 1972, Ken went on to take welding classes at the St. Cloud Technical College. From there, he found his love of blacksmithing while working at the Burlington Northern Railroad in Waite Park for 12 years, until it closed in 1986. With his love of blacksmithing in hand, he decided to start his own business, Ken’s Custom Iron, in 1988, where he mainly focused on creating metal crafts and ornamental iron while attending craft shows.
Ken married MaryLou (Arnzen) in 1992 in St. Cloud and they continued to grow the business while expanding into different areas of blacksmithing and metal fabrication. For 34 years, they worked side-by-side and were fortunate to have their daughter, Samantha, and her husband, Justin, join the team. They look forward to continuing Ken’s legacy through the business in the years ahead.
A firm believer that if you’re doing what you love, you never work a day in your life, Ken enjoyed blacksmithing in his free time along with horseback riding, cruising in the jeep, and spending time with his grandchildren. A true cowboy at heart with a love of the outdoors, he’d often be seen singing an old cowboy tune, tinkering on his vehicles to plan a trip out West, or brainstorming his next project at the anvil. He was active in the Pioneer Club and enjoyed mentoring others through the business and in the Central Minnesota Blacksmith’s Club.
Ken was known both for his creativity and passion, but also his quick-witted humor and love for a well-placed one-liner. He had a heart of gold and a desire to always give back to others. Everyone that knew him knew there was a teddy bear inside his tough exterior, which was often shown through the tear he would shed anytime the National Anthem played.
Ken is survived firstly by his loving wife, MaryLou Zitur of 30 years, who will always be grateful she got to spend so much time with him both in the shop and sharing their hobbies together. A proud dad, he wouldn’t hesitate to brag about their daughter, Samantha, and her husband, Justin Rule, of Bowlus. He took extreme pride in his two grandchildren Blake (5) and Callie Rule (1), and though Callie was too young to make years of memories, he enjoyed soaking up every moment he could with Blake.
He is also survived by his brothers and sister, Tom (Chris) Zitur of Sauk Rapids, Karen (Ralph) Hanson of Willmar, and Steve (Sonja) Zitur of St. Cloud. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alois and Wanda Zitur.
Schedule and Information
Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Albany Pioneer Grounds, Albany, MN
Memorials
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Albany Pioneer Club on Ken’s behalf so they can continue to share the old crafts with the next generation.
Service Details
Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Albany Pioneer Grounds, Albany, MN
Service Location
Albany Pioneer Grounds, Albany, MN
24 Comments. Leave new
I was sorry to hear about Ken’s passing. We were high school classmates and reconnected one time at one of the craft shows. May special memories be of great comfort to all of you in the days and years to come.
My thoughts to the girls and family. My friend and contemporary. A true and gifted craftsman and tutor. Quick with a smile and a heart of gold . Forge on Ken.
My sincere sympathy to all. A special hug for MaryLou and Samantha through me from Pete and Marcella❤️
RIP Ken and peace be with you both.
I am so sorry to hear of kens passing he will be missed ,I met Ken at quadestate while demonstrating back in 2016 a great blacksmith and person my sincere condolences to Mary lou and Samantha and Justin and grandchildren may he rest in peace .
My deepest sympathy to the family … hugs and prayers to you all … Ken was a great man though time has distanced people … friendships still remain …. may time heal your hearts and those memories never forgotten ….
Ken taught me how to make a horse head from old horseshoes. He also taught me how to make my tongs. I will cherish the tools and knowledge he provided. I will miss him.
Wow I met Ken for the first time in Ohio event. He had just started making presses and he talked me in to buying some pre cut products. Lolol.
Great loss to the community.
I am so sorry to hear about Ken. My condolences to the whole family.
I had met Ken at Quad State in Ohio a couple of times and was very impressed with his knowledge and passion. He will be greatly missed.
I knew Ken as a fellow blacksmith. I thought the world of him, as a blacksmith, and simply a great guy. The world needs more Kenny Zitur’s. My condolences to MaryLou and family. Big shoes to fill.
So, sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. Though I did not ever have the pleasure of meeting Ken or knowing him personally, his virtue and character are apparent to many through his flawless product lines, care and instructions, approachability, and the very clean business ethic of Ken’s Custom Iron. He will no doubt be missed. Peace and prayers for the Zitur family in your time of grief and loss, and prayers for the continued support and flourishing for the family of KCI as you guys continue Ken’s legacy in continuing to do what he loved doing.
I am sorry for your loss. I met Ken at the ABANA conference in Virginia. I was very impressed with his skill and passion for the craft. He was very personable and happy to share his knowledge. May he rest in peace. He will be missed.
So very sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. Hope yall are doing well and will heal in time.
Fellow blacksmith in Georgia
Ken had such a huge impact in the blacksmithing community, he will be dearly missed. I am so sorry for your loss.
I’m saddened to hear of Ken’s passing. His products helped in the path of becoming a blacksmith. Heartfelt prayers of comfort going to the loved ones.
I so enjoyed watching him on video. His skills made whatever he did seem nearly effortless. With each year I remain attempting to shape steel, I have new appreciation for the deft way he made things come to shape. I regret I will never get to meet the man and am grateful for the contributions he made to the art and craft.
I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Ken. Though I never met him I have ordered several blacksmithing tools from him. I like to feel in a way that his products have helped me become a better blacksmith. Praying God’s blessing on his family
We were all so sad over here to hear of Kens passing. Our prayers of comfort are with you all. Please let us know if there is anything we can do from here, you just need to ask and we are there. From our Blacksmith family to yours,may you find peace through this.
Warm regards,
The Lockharts
Lockhart Ironwork’s
Logan ,Ohio
Samantha I’m sorry to hear if your father’s lost I talk to you briefly a long time ago in the business I’m sorry for your dad’s being gone
So sorry to hear this sad news. I didn’t know Ken but I can say he was an inspiration for me when I took up blacksmithing after my retirement, watching the videos on YouTube. I know he’ll be missed. God bless and comfort his family.
My sympathy and condolences to Ken’s family & friends
I regret not having met Ken years earlier, but our paths never crossed until just the last few years. In many ways found a kindred spirit that shared the love and enthusiasm for blacksmithing, and his skill not only as a smith but his love of and dedication to teaching it.
I share with others my sympathies of loss.
I am sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. Although I’m a novis blacksmith , Ken always took time to help me with my craft. I’m still enjoying the MZ75 hammer , and other tools. He was a great inspiration and I know he’ll be miss by many.
I am saddened at learning that Ken has passed. Although I never met him, I have learned a lot from him via utube videos. He was a very good teacher and through its use convinced me to purchase and use the M75 hammer and multiple other tools. Marylou, may the love of your family, support of your friends, the many condolences, and the passing of time help bless you with happiness, contentment, and success. Circle-Bar Forge and Cabinet shop.