Mining family digs sibling’s grave

With deep roots to the mining industry of the Silver Valley, the Kannegaard family is no stranger to picks and shovels. And when they see a job that needs to be done, it’s in the family’s nature to do it themselves to make sure it’s done right.

So when Andy Kannegaard died in 1995, it was only natural that his children would gather in his hometown of Wallace, Idaho to dig his grave themselves.

And now, 22 years later, they have returned to the same spot to break ground on the oldest sibling’s grave.

Ken Kannegaard died of thyroid cancer on May 27. At 66 years old, he had a long career in the mining, cement manufacturing and timber industries, where he specialized in health and safety.

“If Kenny were here, he’d be saying ‘Woah, woah, woah – what are you doing?’” his brother, John Kannegard, joked as the siblings dug/Abby Lynes, SR. More here.