Kenneth "Ken" Rystrom

Former Trumbull resident Kenneth “Ken” Rystrom, 85, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 2, 2026.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, August 17, at Evangelical Free Church in Hastings with Pastor Matt Sass officiating. Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, August 17, at the Greenwood Cemetery in Trumbull. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be given to Evangelical Free Celebrate Recovery at 2015 N St Joseph Ave, Hastings, NE 68901. 

Ken was born December 9, 1940, in York, NE, to Swan Kenneth and Maxine (Austin) Rystrom. He graduated from McCool Junction High School in 1958 and attended Hastings College. Ken married Peg Rystrom on May 26, 1960. They lived northwest of York until 1967, when they moved to a farm northeast of Hastings. Ken was a farmhand, professionally trained and showed horses, and worked at Thermo King for many years before his retirement.

Ken will be remembered as a family man who enjoyed spending time with his family at horse shows, on trail rides, and while camping in Colorado. His love of horses was a lifelong passion, and he never missed a chance to share that passion with his grandchildren, introducing each of them to the joy and wonder of horses.

For many years, Ken and his beloved wife shared a passion for square dancing, enjoying the friendships and experiences it brought into their lives. He also had a lifelong love of horses and was a member of the Quarter Horse Association and Paint Horse Association. Ken's enthusiasm for Quarter Horses and Paint Horses was evident to all who knew him, and he found great satisfaction in caring for and working with them.

Faith was the foundation of Ken's life. As a devoted member of Hastings Evangelical Free Church, he lived with a servant's heart and a steadfast trust in God. He will be remembered for his love of family, his faith, and the kindness and quiet strength that touched the lives of everyone who knew him.

Ken is survived by his sons, Scott (Shelley) and Mark (Tamela); six grandchildren, Erin Huth, Piper (Dustin Jacobsen), Markus (Shelby), Tori, Darby, and Tyler; five great-grandchildren, Grace, Titus, Kiptyn, Paisley, and Isla; brothers; Robert and Rex Charleton.

He is preceded in death by his parents, step-dad, Blaine Charleton; wife, Peg Rystrom; son, Greg; great-granddaughter, Tinleigh; sisters, Connie Gerken and Donna Westwood; and brother, Gary Charleton.