Ken Shoquist

Kenneth “Ken” Shoquist, 93, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2025, in Albuquerque, NM.

Ken was an unforgettable man, known for his strong work ethic, loyalty to friends and family, generosity, and a notorious sense of humor. His legacy of love and laughter will never be forgotten.

An avid card player and golfer, Ken cherished the lifelong friendships he made at Four Hills Country Club. Although he never considered himself a great golfer, he proudly achieved a hole-in-one twice. Ken was a Silver Life Master bridge player, and he and his wife made many lifelong friends at Duke City Bridge Club. Other pastimes that brought joy to Ken’s life included boating, swimming, cars, singing, playing the trombone, and telling jokes with friends and family.

Ken was born on the family farm on July 10, 1931, to JA and Josephine Shoquist. He was the youngest of six siblings, and in his early years, his home was without electricity and running water. He drove a tractor from sun-up to sun-down for a 12-hour shift, and his brother drove through the night. His family cultivated sugar beets and strawberries. Friends and family fondly remember his many childhood stories – riding his horse, Sandy, to school backwards to ward off the winter chill, and how he famously convinced the Sheriff to grant him a driver’s license at the age of 11.

Ken joined the Air Force to finance his education through the GI Bill and served during the Korean War from 1951 to 1955. After an honorable discharge, he went to school at the University of Montana, Missoula, and was a member of the SAE fraternity. He graduated with a business degree in the late 1950s, earning his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license shortly thereafter. While at the university, he met the love of his life, Sue Huntley, and they married in Butte Montana in 1957. 

He began his career as a traveling auditor for Consolidated Freightways in Menlo Park, California. He later became a senior accountant for Hyster Company in Portland, Oregon, where he and Sue had their three children and lived for several years.

In 1976, Ken and Sue relocated the family from Portland to Albuquerque after purchasing the Hyster Forklift Dealership, ESCON. Following retirement from ESCON, Ken enjoyed working part-time along with his wife at their son’s UPS Store.

Ken is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sue; children, Stephanie Lyon (Matt) of Louisville, CO; Stacy Shoquist (Mike Falkenthal) of Albuquerque, NM; and Kenny Shoquist (Annette) of Albuquerque, NM; six grandchildren, Jamie and Nick Lyon, Allison and Grant Shoquist, and Lauren and Brielle Nagyvary; and beloved nieces and nephews in Montana, California, and Washington.

Ken will be buried with military honors at Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM January 31, 2025.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate professionals at

Trujillo Family Funeral Home

“Our Family Serving Yours”