Obit: Ellenbecker, Kenneth A. (1935 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Ellenbecker, Gruber, Hackel, Heindl, Pope

----Source: WIGM/WKEB Obituaries (Medford, WI) 5/14/2015

Ellenbecker, Kenneth A. (22 OCT 1935 - 11 MAY 2015)

Kenneth A. Ellenbecker, 79 joined his son in heaven on May 11, 2015.

Memorial Services for Ken will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, May 16, 2015 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dorchester with Father Daniel Hackel officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00A.M. Saturday, May 16, 2015 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dorchester.

A private Cremainal Inurnment will take place at Dorchester Memorial South Cemetery

Ken was born in Dorchester, WI on October 22, 1935 to Catherine F. (Heindl) and Arthur P. Ellenbecker. He attended Dorchester Elementary through 8th grade and then quit school to work on the family dairy farm with his parents.

In 1956, Ken married Sharon L. Pope and they had two children: Cindy and Kurt Ellenbecker and he predeceased Ken in 1972.

Ken worked on the family farm for 24 years and then he bought his own farm in 1973. He farmed until 1985 and then he sold the farm and moved to town where he worked for Meyers’ Manufacturing for 10 years. Ken then “retired” to working for the Dorchester Park for another 10 years. Ken was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Dorchester, Dorchester Lions’ Club and served on the Dorchester Park Board.

Ken was a “great inventor”; he always had a project that he was making: a camper, a boat, a pair of skis, a rocking horse, or a piece of furniture for his wife or daughter. He even constructed a rickshaw but Sharon wouldn’t ride in it. Ken was known as the local “fix it” man in Dorchester. Many a widowed woman referred to him as St. Kenny because he spent a lot of time helping others. Ken also enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworking, yard work, model railroading, decorating for Christmas, and antique cars, particularly his 1931 Ford Model A.

Ken is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sharon P. Ellenbecker of Dorchester, his daughter Cindy Ellenbecker of New Holstein, a sister Bernette (Mel) Gruber of Rotunda West, FL, 2 brothers Galen (Patti) Ellenbecker of Dorchester and Gary (Carol) Ellenbecker of Medford.

Ken will be remembered as a hardworking man with a simple lifestyle by choice, a quiet man of great conviction and fun-loving wit.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Dorchester Park.

Hemer Funeral Homes of Medford and Rib Lake assisted the family with arrangements.