Kenneth W. Dedering, 96, formerly of Kiel died peacefully on Tuesday morning April 2, 2024 at Ascension Calumet Medical Center, Chilton. He had been a resident at LakeHouse of New Holstein since January 20, of this year. He was born July 1, 1927 in the Town of Eaton, son of the late Edmund and Ella (Temreck) Dedering and graduated from Kiel Public Schools in 1945.

Ken was a proud veteran of the US Army, serving his country as a Sgt. from 1945-1947 in Mannheim, Germany. Upon his return he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Leone Nagel on August 4, 1951 at St. John UCC, Schwartzwald.

Ken's dedication to God's church was an essential part of his life. He was a former member of St. Peter UCC and currently a member of Bethel UCC, Ada. He was a long-time choir member and soloist and Sunday School teacher. He held positions as Superintendent, Consistory Member, President of the Congregation and Chairperson of the Finance Committee. Ken also served on three pastoral search committees and on the Pastoral Relations Committee. His love of music carried over with memberships in the Kiel Barbershop Chorus and Quartets.

In his free time, Ken enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing and gardening. He was an avid sports fan and closely followed the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. He spent many hours in his woodworking shop and countless people have his birdhouses to remember him by. During retirement Ken and Leone traveled the US and foreign countries. They loved the family cottage on Long Lake and wintering in Arizona where he continued to sing in the church choir. Leone preceded him in death on January 2, 2021 after almost 70 wonderful years of marriage.

Ken was employed at Kretsch Brothers Inc, Kiel starting in 1947 and went on to work as the Assistant City Clerk for Kiel in 1955. In 1960 until his retirement in 1991, Ken was employed at Stoelting Inc., Kiel where he was Credit Manager for 25 years and was honored to become a member of the Stoelting 25 Year Club.

Ken was a very active and committed member of the Kiel Community. He was a past member of the Kiel Community Chest, serving one term as President and a member of the Kettle Moraine Boy Scout Council where he served as Treasurer of the Kiel Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. In addition, he held two terms as an Alderperson for the City of Kiel, Secretary for the Kiel Industrial Development Corp. and Secretary of the Kiel Area Chamber of Commerce. Ken also served as secretary-treasurer of the Long Lake Development Association, Brillion and was a proud member of the New Holstein American Legion Post #124, New Holstein.

Survivors include his three children; Jane Dedering (Jeffrey) Ray, Oostburg, Douglas (Genelle) Dedering, West Bend, Lynn (Peter) Sell, Fort Atkinson, four grandchildren; Leo (Taylor) Dedering, Elsa Dedering, Eric Sell and Matthew Sell. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. His contagious sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Leone, a son Russell, two brothers, Melvin (Hertha) Dedering, Edmund (Myrtle) Dedering and a sister-in-law Ruth (Ronald) Werner.

A memorial service for Ken will be held on Saturday, April 27 at Bethel UCC, located at W4225 County Line Rd, Elkhart Lake with Rev. Nicole Herda officiating. Family and friends may call at the church on April 27 from 1:00 until 2:45 PM when family rites will be held before the service at 3:00 PM. Burial will take place in the Kiel Belitz Cemetery, immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Bethel UCC in Ken's name. Ken's family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at LakeHouse in New Holstein and Calumet County Home Health, Dr. Benjamin Dellaria and the many family and friends with whom he shared his stories and laughter.