Kenneth Eugene Mahlin

Kenneth Eugene “Ken” Mahlin, Jr., 82, of Grand Island, NE passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Country House Memory Care Center in Grand Island. Visitation will be on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 5-7PM at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Graveside services will be at 2PM on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the David City Cemetery in David City, NE. Memorials are suggested to support research for the www.PIGA-CDG.ORG in honor of his great-nephew, Liam Blake, who passed at age four from this very rare genetic disorder. Online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.

He was born on January 5, 1944, to Kenneth, Sr. and Marjorie (Wimberger) Mahlin in San Francisco, CA. The family lived in Beatrice, NE where he graduated from Beatrice Senior High in 1962.

In high school his church’s Youth Fellowship Group worked with an orphanage in Kentucky. This endeavor spiked an interest in working with youth. After high school he attended Wayne State College. He enlisted in the U.S> Navy in 1963, After the Navy, he moved back to Nebraska to pursue his education. He graduated from Wayne State College with a BA and earned his master’s degree for Special Needs students from the University of Nebraska. Ken continued working on his education administrative degree while working at Ashland Public Schools and traveling to Central NE as a statistical analyst. While living and working in rural Nebraska, he earned his higher educational degrees in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, and his Doctorate in Education (Dr. E).

Ken received many awards and recognitions throughout high school and into his administrative career: High School Debate Team; Who’s Who in Education; testifying before the Nebraska State Legislature for education bills; served on the Board of the Central Community College; a member of the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development; a long time member in the Nebraska Association of School Administrators; recognition as a member of 40+ years in Phi Delta Kappa International; was a member of Keystone Lodge No. 59 at Phillips, NE and Tehama Temple in Hastings, and the American Legion for 50+ years. He was a supporter of The National Geographic Society, The Ocean Conservancy, and the Arbor Day Foundation.

He married Shirley Riese on September 2, 1966, at St. Marks Methodist Church in Lincoln, NE. They raised their four children in rural Nebraska before retiring to Grand Island, NE.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley Mahlin, four children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Daughters: Ruth Beechley (Russ) of Lincoln; Sarah Feckner (Jim) of Clarksville, TN; Mary Eckert (Tom) of Lahome, OK, and son, John (Dawn) Mahlin of Grand Island, NE. Grandchildren: Chelsea (Jared) Herbts of Maryland Heights, MO; Blake Eckert of Grand Island, NE; Brendan Beechley (Jessica) of Omaha, NE; Dylan Beechley of Lincoln, NE, and Devon Beechley of Lincoln, NE; Christopher Feckner and Kailey Feckner of Clarksville, TN; one great-grandson, Archer Herbts and one great-granddaughter, Avila Herbts of Marland Heights, MO.

He was preceded in death by hi parents and three brothers: Robert, Richard, and Thomas; and great-nephew, Liam Blake of Plano, TX.