Kenneth C Zeitler, Sr age 92, of Monroe, died on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Ken was born March 31, 1924 on the home farm in Coleman, WI to Arthur and Esther Zeitler. He was the third child in a family of ten siblings. He attended country school and disliked wearing school required knickers. During his schooling and church activities, the local congregation determined they would fund his education at the Lutheran Seminary in Watertown, WI. He attended for one year and returned home to graduate from High School in Coleman, WI.
Ken served in the US Army during World War II from 1942-1945 as part of the 602nd Engineering Battalion and was in five major land battles while in the European Theatre of Operations.
He met his wife Thora (Augustine) at a Halloween Party he attended with his brothers. They eloped to marry in Wichita, KS on October 30, 1948. They resided there briefly and returned to Coleman, WI, later moving to Kiel and Seymour, WI settling in Monroe. While in Seymour Ken was a community leader serving as President of the Seymour School Board, as well as carrying out the duties of President of the local Kiwanis Club. He was instrumental in developing and implementing the beginnings of the fertilizer and chemical application for the agricultural community while he managed the Seymour Co-op. He also partnered in the Krueger-Zeitler Broiler Farm and Fund Ways Ventures. Ken purchased the local Roller Mills in Monroe, WI in 1966, changing the name to Ken's Agri-Services, Inc. He then acquired the Monroe Chickeries. His passion was serving the agricultural community in various capacities for the last 50 years. He was a member, of Grace Lutheran Church, formerly served as president of the Church Council and taught Sunday School, with his wife Thora. Ken served the area with various financial services through Primerica. Ken was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2312 in Monroe, WI.
He is survived by his wife Thora, sons Ken S, and Chuck (Gail) Zeitler. Daughters Carol (Larry) Ruch, Nancy (Terry) Larson, Ann (Steve) Halverson, and daughter-in-law Joan Zeitler, as well as eleven grandchildren: Nicholas and Zachary Ruch, Jason and Jennifer Zeitler, Laura (Zeitler) Hibbard, Amanda, Kristen and Kyle Larson, Isaac, Madeline and Elizabeth Halverson and 5 great grandchildren.
Ken was predeceased in death by his son, Kenneth (Bud) Zeitler, Jr, Parents Arthur and Esther Zeitler, and 7 brothers.
Funeral services will be Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor John Tabaka officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel-Hawthorne Cemetery, with Military Rites.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 25th, from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 at the church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
Ken was born March 31, 1924 on the home farm in Coleman, WI to Arthur and Esther Zeitler. He was the third child in a family of ten siblings. He attended country school and disliked wearing school required knickers. During his schooling and church activities, the local congregation determined they would fund his education at the Lutheran Seminary in Watertown, WI. He attended for one year and returned home to graduate from High School in Coleman, WI.
Ken served in the US Army during World War II from 1942-1945 as part of the 602nd Engineering Battalion and was in five major land battles while in the European Theatre of Operations.
He met his wife Thora (Augustine) at a Halloween Party he attended with his brothers. They eloped to marry in Wichita, KS on October 30, 1948. They resided there briefly and returned to Coleman, WI, later moving to Kiel and Seymour, WI settling in Monroe. While in Seymour Ken was a community leader serving as President of the Seymour School Board, as well as carrying out the duties of President of the local Kiwanis Club. He was instrumental in developing and implementing the beginnings of the fertilizer and chemical application for the agricultural community while he managed the Seymour Co-op. He also partnered in the Krueger-Zeitler Broiler Farm and Fund Ways Ventures. Ken purchased the local Roller Mills in Monroe, WI in 1966, changing the name to Ken's Agri-Services, Inc. He then acquired the Monroe Chickeries. His passion was serving the agricultural community in various capacities for the last 50 years. He was a member, of Grace Lutheran Church, formerly served as president of the Church Council and taught Sunday School, with his wife Thora. Ken served the area with various financial services through Primerica. Ken was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2312 in Monroe, WI.
He is survived by his wife Thora, sons Ken S, and Chuck (Gail) Zeitler. Daughters Carol (Larry) Ruch, Nancy (Terry) Larson, Ann (Steve) Halverson, and daughter-in-law Joan Zeitler, as well as eleven grandchildren: Nicholas and Zachary Ruch, Jason and Jennifer Zeitler, Laura (Zeitler) Hibbard, Amanda, Kristen and Kyle Larson, Isaac, Madeline and Elizabeth Halverson and 5 great grandchildren.
Ken was predeceased in death by his son, Kenneth (Bud) Zeitler, Jr, Parents Arthur and Esther Zeitler, and 7 brothers.
Funeral services will be Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor John Tabaka officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel-Hawthorne Cemetery, with Military Rites.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 25th, from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 at the church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.