Gary L. Konen, age 74, passed away unexpectedly on April 28, 2022, at his home in Kiel, Wisconsin. On March 24, 1948, Gary was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to Jerome and Lorraine (Zorn) Konen. He attended SS. Peter & Paul Grade School and he graduated from Kiel High School in 1967.
Gary served in the US Army as a SPC/E4 with the 7th Infantry Division-13th Engineer Battalion, stationed in Korea from 1968 to 1969 as a heavy-duty equipment mechanic. His love for operating heavy equipment continued with the family business, Konen Landscaping. He later received degrees in marketing and welding from Lakeshore Technical College.
Gary married Faye (Pfister) on February 2, 1979. They were blessed with 43 years of marriage, seven children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Gary worked as a driver for 30 years at Piggly Wiggly Midwest/Fresh Brands. He retired in 2013.
Besides spending time with his Kiel-area grandkids, Gary enjoyed working outdoors and on projects with his sons, Jerrod and Brad, around the family property. He enjoyed old cars, motorcycles, car shows, and swap meets. In his retirement, Gary spent early mornings with friends, enjoying coffee and donuts at Sunrise Bakery, and sharing his dry sense of humor. Gary was a lifelong member of SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Kiel, Wisconsin.
He is survived by his wife, Faye, of Kiel, and his children, Christopher Kahr (Kelly Kienbaum) of Appleton, Angela (David) July of Cape Coral, FL, Welcome (James) Rose of Lake Mills, Stephanie (Martin) van Iersel of Milwaukee, Theresa (Karun) Narasimhan of Plymouth, Jerrod (Jenny) Konen of Kiel, and Bradley (Nguyet) Konen of Kiel; his grandchildren, Anika (Sergio) Guerrero; Alexander Griffith (Alexandra Alcock), Steven and Sophia July; Reagan and Edison Konen, Madeline Schisel; Liam, Zef, and Thijs van Iersel; Jackson Konen; Aryan, Rafa, and Zara Narasimhan, and great-grandchildren, Anahlí and Mateo Guerrero. Gary is further survived by his siblings Dianne (Walt) Gierke, Kay Konen, Mark (Rosie) Konen, Mike (Pam) Konen, and Dean (Tammy) Konen, sisters-in-law Beverly Pfister, Marilyn Pfister, and Sonya Belle Pfister, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Gottlieb Pfister, mother-in-law Rita B. Stone Casper, sister-in-law, Marcia L. (Pfister) Cook, brothers-in-law John, Wayne, Ronald, and James Pfister and James' wife, Barbara Pfister.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 423 Fremont St., Kiel, Wisconsin, at noon on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Burial will follow at SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery immediately following the Mass. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation at the church any time before the Mass, between 9:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
A memorial fund has been established in Gary's name in lieu of flowers.
The family would like to thank Kiel EMS and Fire and the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office for their service to the family.