Kenneth Eugene Baxter, 72, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Great Plains Health Hospital.  He was born on June 15, 1949 to Elmer L. and Iola (Stedman) Baxter in North Platte, NE.

Ken spent most of his life near North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School.  He spent 6 years in the National Guard.  On May 29, 1969 he married Lodelia Housman in North Platte.  He and his wife farmed and ranched until 1990 when they moved to North Platte.  He then worked for a short time with Knobel and Norman Refrigeration in maintenance and then was manager at the Craft State Office Building for 20 years, retiring in 2019.  He and Lodelia spent a year in Lancaster, PA managing the Sight and Sound animal division before returning home to North Platte.  Ken was an expert in animal husbandry and horses, and could fix just about anything.  He was an excellent husband, father and friend to all who knew him, and will be missed by all who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Iola; brothers, Everald and Wendell Baxter; sisters, Ruby Rogers and Nelda Meuret; step-mother, Edith Dye Baxter and step-brother, Dallas Dye.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lodelia; son, Shane (Jenny) Baxter of North Platte; grandchildren, Caleb (Mary) Baxter and Nathaniel Baxter; great-grandson, Christopher; sister, Ronda (Garry) Bryant of Amherst, VA; step-brother, Dean Dye of North Platte; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Brett Hatheway officiating.  Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens Cemetery in North Platte. Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 28 ^th from 1 to 7 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5 – 7 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Cornerstone Church, 1620 W. 4 ^th St., North Platte.  Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed to the family at www.carpentermemorial.com .  Arrangements have been entrusted to Carpenter Memorial Chapel.