BRODHEAD - Kenneth L. Zuhlke, age 71, passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2011, at the Monroe Clinic Hospital, Monroe, WI. He was born on March 25, 1940 in Monroe, WI, the son of Ben and Gladys (Hooker) Zuhlke and step-parents, Mahlon and Kathryn McKinney. He married Shirley Gutzmer on November 16, 1968 at Grace Lutheran Church, Monroe.
Ken graduated from Brodhead High School in 1958. He belonged to the Becknell Masonic Lodge, Brodhead. He had worked as a road construction mechanic for William J. Kennedy and Sons/Rock Road Companies and belonged to Operating Engineers Local 139. He retired after 40 years. Ken loved to eat out, go morel mushroom hunting, playing cards, doing word search books, coffee clutches with the boys, was an avid Packer and Badger fan and attended the 1st two Super Bowls. He told many stories about the Ice Bowl, his old cars, Wendy's driving records, fishing with the grandkids, and buying vehicles. He enjoyed always giving "pointers" to Mike in the shop and "bossing" Shirley around during canning and gardening and taking all of the credit for the work! Ken especially enjoyed spending time with his family and grandkids.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, Brodhead, a daughter, Wendy (Brian) Tool, Kennewick, WA, a son, Mike Zuhlke (Jen Hanson) and her children, Mikayla and Shawn Hanson, all of Brodhead, grandchildren, Dillon, Dustin and Brendan Tool, a brother, Ronald (Sandra) Zuehlke, Brodhead, step-mother, Kathryn McKinney, IL, his best friend, Thumper, the cat and granddog, Buford. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, sisters; Vivian Coplien and Betty Hulbert, and brothers-in-law, Bobby Coplien and Bob Hulbert.
Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at the Congregational United Church of Christ, Brodhead, with Rev. R. Tiffany Bates officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the D.L. NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, BRODHEAD, WI. Online condolences may be made a www.dlnewcomerfuneralhome.com.
Ken graduated from Brodhead High School in 1958. He belonged to the Becknell Masonic Lodge, Brodhead. He had worked as a road construction mechanic for William J. Kennedy and Sons/Rock Road Companies and belonged to Operating Engineers Local 139. He retired after 40 years. Ken loved to eat out, go morel mushroom hunting, playing cards, doing word search books, coffee clutches with the boys, was an avid Packer and Badger fan and attended the 1st two Super Bowls. He told many stories about the Ice Bowl, his old cars, Wendy's driving records, fishing with the grandkids, and buying vehicles. He enjoyed always giving "pointers" to Mike in the shop and "bossing" Shirley around during canning and gardening and taking all of the credit for the work! Ken especially enjoyed spending time with his family and grandkids.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, Brodhead, a daughter, Wendy (Brian) Tool, Kennewick, WA, a son, Mike Zuhlke (Jen Hanson) and her children, Mikayla and Shawn Hanson, all of Brodhead, grandchildren, Dillon, Dustin and Brendan Tool, a brother, Ronald (Sandra) Zuehlke, Brodhead, step-mother, Kathryn McKinney, IL, his best friend, Thumper, the cat and granddog, Buford. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, sisters; Vivian Coplien and Betty Hulbert, and brothers-in-law, Bobby Coplien and Bob Hulbert.
Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at the Congregational United Church of Christ, Brodhead, with Rev. R. Tiffany Bates officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the D.L. NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, BRODHEAD, WI. Online condolences may be made a www.dlnewcomerfuneralhome.com.