Rev. Kenneth A. Halstead

Reverend Kenneth Alan Halstead was born on April 9, 1950, on Easter Sunday.  His birthday never fell on Easter again until 2025. God had a plan for him from the beginning. His vocational mission was to share the gospel joyfully, empathically, creatively, and courageously so others might believe and mature in living fruitful lives in God’s grace.

He grew up in Iowa and attended Luther College. He received his Master’s of Divinity from Luther Seminary, a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Wartburg Theological Seminary, and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Illinois State University. All degrees received with highest honors. He also did extensive Clinical Pastoral Education at Topeka State Hospital and Methodist Hospital in St Louis Park, MN.

Ken served as Lutheran Campus Pastor at Bemidji State University for 14 years. Two years of his professional life were spent as a hospital chaplain in psychiatric and medical settings. He served as a parish pastor of Evangelical Lutheran Church of America congregations (ELCA) in Warren, IL; Racine, WI; Princeton, IL; Zimmerman, MN; and St John’s in Richland Center, WI.  He also served as an Intentional Interim pastor for over nine years in various churches in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. He served as President of Dubuque Area Congregations United for one year.

He wed Jacqueline Burnett of Dubuque in 2007. Ken is survived by his children, Joy (John Hensel) of Duluth, MN, and Seth (Nicole) Halstead of Tampa, FL, and their mother, Connie Anderson of Duluth. He is also survived by Jesse Mulert (Freeda Brook) of Decorah, IA, and Jordan Von Mulert (Hannah) of Dubuque. He was blessed to be grandfather to Malia Halstead, Asher and Clara Hensel, and bonus Grandpa to Isla and Penelope Von Mulert.

Ken had a strong inner child himself and delighted in those moments when he could play alongside the children. He relished being a lifelong tennis player and coached youth teams throughout his life.  He coached tennis at Loras All Sports Camp for several years.

Ken was also a talented vocalist. In his younger years, as a skilled cornet player, he considered a career in music. Later in life, he learned to swing dance, and one day found the dance partner he loved best. Ken and Jacqueline enjoyed 19 years of dancing together, attracting attention often at summer outdoor music opportunities in Dubuque.

We are heartbroken by his sudden and unexpected death on January 20, 2026, but know that his heart is now healed by his creator.

Services will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 11:00 am at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 255 W. 10^th Street, and will also be available by live stream. A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow.

Charitable contributions may be given in his honor to the Lutheran Campus Ministry of Bemidji State University.

Online condolences for Ken’s family may be left at www.tristatecremationcenter.com