Kenneth L. Thelen

Kenneth L. Thelen, 95, of Viroqua died Friday, February 18, 2011. Kenneth Thelen, 95, of Viroqua died on February 18, 2011 at Bethel Home in Viroqua. Kenneth was born to Alois and Hilda (Wink) Thelen on June 28, 1915 in Caledonia, WI as one of ten children. He moved to La Farge in 1931 and began his dairy farm on Buckeye Ridge where he farmed until his retirement in the mid eighties. He and his wife, Fern, met at the "old" Vernon Memorial Hospital where Fern was a nurse and he was having his appendix taken out. Ken and Fern then moved to Viroqua in 1992 to live with his son Leonard. Ken was a member of the Vernon Memorial Hospital Board, was a volunteer with the Bethel Home, was President of the Farmers Union and was involved with the HOSTS Program Help One Student To Succeed.After retiring, Ken and Fern stayed warm in Texas in the winters, and returned to Wisconsin for the spring and summer months. He bowled well into his ninetys and enjoyed playing cards and bingo. One of Ken's biggest joys was to play in the dirt so he could grow those big gladiola flowers that so loved taking to Bethel for everyone enjoy. Remember when you hear the price of copper think of Ken. Kenneth is survived by children Leonard (Mary Ann), Janis (Brent) Waddell, Janet (Dr. Roger) Loose; grandchildren: Barbara Baldwin, Julie (Joe) Anzelone, Christopher Thelen, Derek (Mindy) Waddell, Erin (Michael) Jirschele, Gregory (Tana) Loose, Brenda (Christopher) Hope; great-grandchildren Quinton (Chelse) Baldwin, Andrew (Hanna) Baldwin, Danny, Dominick, Eric, Elanna Anzelone, Nickolas, Gabrielle Thelen, Owen Waddell, Braun Jirschele, Reigan, Brennen, Samuel, Jeffrey, Christian Loose, and one on the way; great-great-granddaughter Ella Baldwin; siblings Grace Kirking, Inez Jaehnert, Paul Thelen, and Doris Callaway. Kenneth is preceded in death by his wife Fern; grandson Richard Thelen; siblings Raymond, Jean, Marian Thelen, Lucille Walsh, and Leonarda Zager. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 Monday, February 21, 2010 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Viroqua. Father Robert Cook will officiate with burial in Sacred Heart Church Cemetery in Cashton. Friends may call on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker, in Viroqua. Friends may also call at the church on Monday one hour prior to the service. In Lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Bethel Home (recreation dept.) or St. Marys Catholic church. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.