Kenneth James Tainter

Kenneth James Tainter, age 89, of Ontario, passed away peacefully Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in his home. He was born January 2, 1931, in Readstown to the late Zilmer and Mabel (Glass) Tainter. Following graduation from Readstown High School, he began working at Tri-State Breeders for 17 years followed by a career in cable TV at International Falls, Minnesota. He also raised mink, partnered with his sons in the ginseng business, and travelled to Alaska to mine gold. He married Betty Ann Sherry in 1949, and they later divorced. Kenneth married Darlene (McMicken) Wilcox, on September 27, 1982, in International Falls, Minnesota. Together they celebrated 38 years of marriage. Kenneth loved to fish and for most of his life shared that love with many friends and family. He also enjoyed deer hunting and made his annual trip to the family cabin in Hayward, WI with the hunting group that were near and dear to his heart. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Darlene; his son, Nathan (Debbie) Tainter, his daughter, Marsha Sullivan, his son, Kevin (Peggy) Tainter, son Alan (Ann) Tainter, and stepson Kirby Wilcox; nine grandchildren, one step-grandson, 15 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson; his brothers, Keith Tainter and Larry “Dood” (Debbie) Tainter; sister-in-law, Kalleen (George) Sanders and brother-in-law, Terry McMicken; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; his twin sisters and their husbands, Bonney (Donald) Deckert and Betty (Ken) Larson; sister-in-law, Marian Tainter, and his son-in-law, Jeff Sullivan. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 5, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Pisgah Wesleyan Church in Ontario, Wis. Burial will follow in the Manning Cemetery in Readstown, Wis. Pastor Nathan Pyykkonen will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Ken’s family would like to thank the staff at Ontario Ambulance Service, Norseland Nursing Home, and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care they provided. Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua is serving Ken's family. 123 W. Decker Street Viroqua, WI 54665 608-637-2100