Kenneth F. Koehnke, 83, of Burlington, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Ken will be remembered as a devoted husband and dedicated father. He had an unmatched work ethic and a one of a kind sense of humor.
Ken was born on Dec. 12, 1939 to Ellsworth and Ann (nee Baumeister) Koehnke in Burlington. He spent his life in Burlington and attended Burlington High School. On July 16, 1966 he married Mary Ann Rachel at the Plymouth Congregational Church. They were married for 51 years.
After high school Ken served in the U.S. Navy, stationed at Norfolk, Virginia, on the U.S.S. Shenandoah. After the Navy he worked with his good friend Ralph Garland at Garland Concrete. Ken was employed at American Motors and then Chrysler Corporation in Kenosha for 40 years, retiring in 2000.
Ken was a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burlington, being baptized there, attending grade school there, and then serving on the St. John’s School Board and as an Elder on the Board of Directors. He was an active member and longtime leader for the youth group Lutheran Boy Pioneers.
After Ken retired, he and Mary Ann spent many years traveling in their motorhome through the US and Canada often taking their motorcycle and exploring the country. They enjoyed traveling with close friends and family. They also enjoyed quick trips to nearby casinos and visiting friends around Wisconsin. Mary Ann was insistent that they eat out for breakfast every day, so they enjoyed many local restaurants.
Ken is survived by his children, Rachel (Mike) Loppnow, Heidi Tiedt and Theodore (Jody) Koehnke; and grandchildren, Dane and Karl Loppnow, Cru (Hannah Peschak) Stubley, Hegeman (Arianna), Malik, Ezekiel, and Porter Tiedt, and RaeLee, Zayne, and Brecker Koehnke. He is further survived by his siblings’ families, the late Ellsworth “Bud” Koehnke Family, the late Donald Koehnke Family, the June (Ron) Winkelman Family, the Robert Koehnke Family, and the Richard Koehnke Family and brother-in-law late Egan Rachel Family and many other loved and dear extended family members.
Ken was preceded in death by his son Karl Edwin Koehnke; grandson Reed Koehnke Loppnow; parents Ellsworth and Ann; stepfathers Wallace Subrod and Leon “Pete” Bender; brothers Donald Koehnke and Ellsworth “Bud” Koehnke; sister-in-law Mary Kay Koehnke; brother-in-law Egan Rachel and sister-in-law Cleo Sydow.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to St. John’s Lutheran Church, the staff at Oak Park Place, and the staff with St. Croix Hospice for their compassion and care.
Memorials are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Funeral Services will take place at noon on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burlington. Relatives and friends can visit with the family at church on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 10 until 11:45 a.m. Burial with full Military Honors will follow in Burlington Cemetery.
Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home is serving the family. Well-wishers may visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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