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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
It was standing room only at the Elks Hall last Friday afternoon as more than 200 people gathered to celebrate the life of Ken Rogers.

Ken Rogers, general manager of the Elks Club, died suddenly on Jan. 5. - photo courtesy of Rogers family

The crowd packed the downtown clubhouse where the gruff voice of the beloved general manager will now be missed as, one by one, friends and colleagues stepped forward to speak with brittle voices thick with emotion about the "man's man" with a kind heart and a great sense of humour.

Rogers, 66, died suddenly Jan. 5 after suffering a heart attack.

"He was passionate about what he held dear to him and things that he believed in," said Gary McLellan, master of ceremonies at the Jan. 11 celebration of life. "His greatest passion was for his family. His wife Joanne, girls Tasha (John Beck) and Tyra (Rick Shimabuku), and his grandchildren (Trista, Taylor, Taryn, Hailey and Mason), all of whom he loved dearly."

Rogers is survived by his sister, Arlene Van der Heyden of Drumheller, Alta.

"His second greatest passion was with the Elks at the national, territorial level, and most of all, here at Lodge 314," McLellan said. "Ken was a tremendous ambassador for the Elks and he worked tirelessly promoting the Elks at every opportunity."

Elks Lodge exalted ruler Don Gillis spoke about Rogers as a knowledgeable and dedicated member of the Yk Elks Lodge, and a passionate supporter of several other charities, including the Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation, NWT Disabilities Council, and the Yellowknife Elks Lodge 825 Air Cadet Squadron. The Royal Purple Fund of Canada was a children's charity that was very near and dear to his heart.

"His passionate commitment to this community was undaunting and very inspiring," said Elks club director Shirley Fontaine. "Ken had vision and loyalty that was unsurpassed. He was a vital member of this community, he was a vital member of this Elks club and he will be missed, sorely. We will not let his legacy ever be forgotten."

Rogers, who was born in Calgary on Nov. 21, 1946, and grew up on a farm outside the city, was fondly remembered as a little bit tough, and a tad grumpy, with a

gentler, playful side.

Elks Lodge chaplain Darcy Cherwaty, who opened the ceremony with a prayer, also mentioned the little things that will be missed about Rogers, such as his unique penchant for pizza with no sauce.

"Will we miss him? Absolutely," Cherwaty said. "But the man himself Ken Rogers, will he be forgotten? Never."

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Ken Rogers' name to the Elks and Royal Purple Fund of Canada.

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