SPARTA - Kenneth “Ken” K. Kiel, 86, of Sparta, died Saturday, August 27, 2022 at RBI Care, rural Sparta. He was born on April 6, 1936 in Monroe, WI to Orville and Jetta (Drake) Kiel. He grew up in Blanchardville, and graduated there.
Ken served in the US Air Force from February 2, 1955 until November 14, 1958. He was stationed in Trier, Germany, and worked temporary duty at the Royal Canadian Air Force Base on microwaves before the advent of electronics. This was where he met Therese Latimer, who was also there working in communications. She was from the French Province of Quebec, Canada. They were married in a quaint chapel, built in the middle ages, in Metz, France on May 11, 1957. Their reception was held on base, and was catered by Terry’s 2 main base cooks. Ken and Terry remember the carved turkey and French pink champagne. Their oldest son, Kenneth Charles was born in Bitburg, Germany and was called “JR” by his mom and dad. Following their service time, they moved back to Monroe, and lived there for 3 years. Their second child, Brian Loy, was born in Monroe.
Ken and Terry built their 1st home in Monroe, in their spare time, while Ken worked at the Telephone Co. He then transferred and moved to Sparta, working for an independent company called Monroe County Telephone Co. Ken worked full time and again, in his spare time, with his wife Terry’s help, built their 2nd home, where they lived for the next 55 years.
After it was built, Terry worked at Monroe County Nursing Home as a Registered Nursing Assistant for 1 year, until WWTC called for her to complete the Licensed Practical Nursing program. After graduation, Terry returned to Rolling Hills and worked there for 18 years. Ken worked for CenturyTel, after Monroe County Independent Co. was sold to them. Ken worked in the telephone company industry for 36 years. Both husband wife retired in 1996 and went south for 15 winters, to Rio Grande Valley, in southern Texas.
Terry volunteered at Morrow Home, as an Ombudsman for 5 years when they were home from wintering in Texas. Ken was a gunsmith and owned Ken’s Kustom Kartridges, and was a member of a Muzzle Loaders Club for 20 years. In his free time, Ken built model airplanes. He was most proud, and will be remembered most for starting the Radio Controlled Airplane Club in Sparta. He served as President and was later recognized and honored as the Honorary Lifetime President of the RC Club.
Ken is survived by his wife of 65 years, Therese (Terry) Kiel of Sparta; sons, Kenneth (Chris) Kiel of Sparta, and Brian (Dr. Patricia Kiel/Mergo, Radiologist) Kiel of Ponte Vedra, FL; grandchildren, Matthew (Hilary) Kiel of Onalaska, Kevin (Meranda) Kiel of Holmen, Tyler (Kaitlyn) Kiel of Onlaska, Casey Kiel of Florida, and Kaitlyn Kiel of Florida; great grandchildren, Adalynn (Addie), Kylie, Connor, and Kayla; sisters, Cleone McGinness of Freeport, IL and Dorothy Olbricht of Exeter, NH; and very special friend, Lynn Sanders.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville Sr. and Jetta (Drake) Kiel; brother, Orville Kiel Jr.; and sister-in-law, Fern Kiel.
The family would like to extend a thankyou to RBI Care, LLC for the excellent care provided to Ken.
A memorial service, with full Military Honors, will be held at 11 am, on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, with Pastor Dana Crohn officiating.
A visitation will be held from 10 am to 11 am, on Saturday, until the time of service at the funeral home. Memorials, in Ken’s honor, may be directed to WI Christian Youth Camp. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
