In the early hours of January 18, 2024, Kenneth Alan Pick was called home after a brief but fierce battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Ken was born on October 17th, 1949 to Henry and Mary-Lou Pick in Monroe, WI. He grew up on the family farm south of Monroe. Ken was a 1967 graduate of Monroe High School, active in 4H and FFA. After graduation, he enlisted in the WI Air National Guard in 1968. He served as a parachute rigger and telecommunications specialist with the 115th Fighter Wing, ending his service at the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon his honorable discharge, Ken found employment with Uteleco (later the company changed to TDS) as a lineman. He worked there for over 30 years. After retirement from TDS, he worked for Henshue Construction, and later started his own business State Line Wire, doing a wide variety of telecommunication jobs. Most recently, he worked for Finley Engineering mapping fiber optic cable.
If you didn’t know Ken from one of his jobs, you might have known him from dog training. Before marriage and children, he spent every weekend on the road showing his dogs at AKC obedience trials. And he was GOOD. He had a passion and talent that was unrivaled. Not only did he compete on a national level, but he was also the Green County 4H Dog Project leader for decades. He was not a man to sit still for long, and that continued up until his death.
In 1991, Ken married Valerie Buol, with whom he had two children. They later went their separate ways. In 2013, Ken Married Sharyle Folk. Before his health turned, Ken and Sharyle enjoyed traveling together. Some of their favorite places were Las Vegas, the Florida Keys, and the Gulf Coast.
Ken wore many, many different hats over the years. But his favorite one was the ‘Dad’ hat. He was an incredible father, and he would move heaven and earth for his children. And there were times that he did just that. He was an avid lover of the outdoors and a nurturer of the land, and he instilled those values into his children. He spent many summers taking his children to Connors Lake in northern WI camping, fishing and canoeing. We wanted to go one last time, but he got too sick too fast. He did assure us, “I will be there, I will always be with you wherever you go”.
Dad knew his time was drawing near, and when discussing his goals of care with his ICU nurse he told her that he wanted to “Go home. To be with my children and grandchildren in the home that I built. For them to care for me on hospice”. By the grace of God, we got Dad home. He got to see 2 out of 3 grandchildren, and he passed away in the loving embrace of his son and daughter, only 6 hours after getting him home.
Ken is survived by his wife Sharyle; Daughter Jessica (Jake) Maloney; Son Ken (Leanna) Pick Jr.; Brother Robert (Cathy) Pick; Sister Marilyn (Chuck) Line; Uncle William (Shirley) Pick; Grandchildren Lyncoln, Aubree and Lukas; Nieces, Nephews, as well as Step-Children and Step-Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, David Pick.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Clare of Assisi Parish at St. Victor Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, Monroe. A memorial fund will be established in Ken’s name. Condolences may be share at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
The family would like to extend our love and appreciation to Leamons EMS, FHN Emergency Department and ICU, Monroe Clinic Home Hospice and their incredible RN Kelly, and Green County EMS.
"Never Give Up”
