Kenneth Emil Wenzel, 89 passed away peacefully in his sleep on the dawn of his 89th year.

Ken was born on the family farm, November 5, 1933, in the Town of Rockland in Manitowoc County, WI. He was the son of Roman Wenzel and Agnes (Jerabek) Wenzel. He spent his early years on the farm and graduated from Brillion High in 1952.

Ken worked for the Brillion Iron Works after graduating and in 1953 he was called to serve his country during the Korean War and proudly did so as a medic in Germany until 1955.

After service he married the love of his life, Lois (Steinfest) on July 6, 1957, and celebrated 65 years this past July. He became a barber for the next 40 years. His first job at the Northland Hotel, in Green Bay, provided him the opportunity to cut many Green Bay Packer players hair, as well as few notables such as Vince Lombardi and Liberace, before building his own barbershop in New Holstein 1962.

Ken loved to hunt and fish and spend time at the Wenzel Cottage on Pine Lake (Hiles) with family. He enjoyed many years of Canada fishing trips with his sons, grandsons and friends, and many exciting years of sturgeon spearing on Lake Winnebago and duck/goose hunting in the Collins Marsh. Deer season at the cottage was always a special time with family, whether getting lucky or not. In his retirement he took up gardening and shared the love of harvesting with family.

Ken also loved to bowl and was very proud of his 299 game. He enjoyed playing sheepshead with the guys. Ken & Lois were fortunate to enjoy many years of traveling throughout the United States, as well as a few other countries abroad. One of his most memorable trips was the Old Glory Honor Flight that he was able to go on with his daughter.

He was a member of Holy Rosary Parish – New Holstein and the Holy Name Society. He also belonged to the Brothertown Fishing Club and the New Holstein American Legion Post 124.

Ken spent many years coaching his sons in baseball, and you could find him attending all the sporting events of his children and grandchildren. He was an avid fan of the local high school sport programs and diligently followed the Packers and Brewers.

Ken is survived by his wife Lois and his children, Stephen Wenzel, Scott (Jayne) Wenzel, Jeffrey Wenzel, Kathryn (Ron) Lefeber, and Eric (Kelly) Wenzel. Grandchildren, Logan Wenzel, Meg Wenzel, Connor (Arinn) Wenzel, Christopher (Emily) Lefeber, Cade (Candyce) Lefeber, Claire (Anthony) LaTour, Kelsey (Aaron Polejewski) Wenzel, and Patrick (Mia) Wenzel. And two precious great granddaughters, Sofia Lefeber and Aria Wenzel, and a third great grandchild due in April 2023. He is also survived by two sisters Carol Harp and Margaret (Greg) Watson. Brother-in-law James (Rae Marie) Steinfest and sister-in-law Cheri (Rick) Rietveld, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law Jill Wenzel, grandson Ryan Wenzel, his brother and sister-in-law Ronald (Mary Ann) Wenzel, sister Audrey; brothers and sisters-in-law, Sallie Steinfest, Donald (Marlene)(Gloria) Steinfest, Thomas Steinfest, and Richard Harp. Godson Rick Wenzel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1724 Madison Street, New Holstein, WI 53061. Burial will be in the Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery.

Family and Friends may call at the Sippel Funeral Home, 2618 Altona Avenue, New Holstein on Saturday, November 12th from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM.

The family sends a special thank you to the caring staff of Calumet County Hospice, especially Lindsey and Amanda, to Dr. Ben Dellaria and the Heart & Vascular doctors and nurses for the many years of amazing care and attention given to Ken.

Ken was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He has left each of us with many wonderful memories. We will miss him greatly.

For further details, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.