Benefit set for Austin native in Red Wing; 1981 Pacelli grad battling stage 4 bladder cancer
Published 10:08 am Wednesday, December 7, 2016
An Austin native’s coworkers are getting the word out in his hometown about a cancer benefit to support him and his family.
A benefit spaghetti dinner and silent auction will be held at the Red Wing Elks Lodge, 306 W. Fourth St. in Red Wing, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday to support Ken Titus, 53, who is battling stage 4 bladder cancer.
Ken Titus, 53
Cost for the benefit is $10 for adults and $5 for children with proceeds going to Titus and his family.
Titus and his siblings grew up in Austin, where he attended Queen of Angels Catholic Church and graduated from Pacelli High School in 1981. His parents still live in Austin.
He held managerial positions at Austin’s Hardee’s and Culver’s before moving to Red Wing to begin work at the Minnesota Correctional Facility – Red Wing.
Coworkers described him as an avid Minnesota Vikings fan and a kind, salt-of-the-earth person who connected with the juvenile residents he worked with at the facility.
“He is a very gentle, laid back person,” said Connie Hartwig, one of Titus’ coworkers at the correctional facility.
Along with reaching out to those who may know Titus in Austin, Hartwig said she’s received a lot of support in Red Wing from individuals and businesses giving silent auction items, food and other help.
