Mr. Kenneth L. Withey

June 6, 1929 - February 28, 2019

Kenneth L. Withey, 89, of Waterford, WI, formerly of Lynxville, WI, passed away on Thursday February 28, 2019, with his wife of more than 65 years by his side. He was born in Lynxville, WI on June 6, 1929, to Clifford “Windy” Withey and Mayme (Ostrander) Withey. Ken grew up a “river rat” on the Mississippi River helping his father with his commercial fishing business. The family also owned Withey’s Bar. He graduated from Seneca High School in 1947 and soon after joined the Army and became a jump master for the paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne. He was promoted to Master Sergeant before being sent to the Philippines as a jump master helping to train the Filipino soldiers during the Korean War. He finished his military duties as a courier for the Secret Service in Washington D.C. After returning home, he married the love of his life, Dianne Daugherty on October 24, 1953. They moved to Milwaukee where they started their family. Ken worked as a butcher at Wisconsin Packing Company and later Patrick Cudahy. Upon the closing of Patrick Cudahy, Ken moved back to Lynxville to take over the family business, Withey’s Bar, in November of 1988. Ken enjoyed life to the fullest. He was a great story teller and an avid prankster. He had the rare ability to make friends with everyone he met and children flocked to him. Ken had no interest in material things, his interest was in his family and friends. Fishing was a favorite passion of Ken’s and he especially enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren. He was extremely proud of his hometown, his river heritage, and the 99 year legacy of the family business. Ken is survived by his loving wife Dianne, 3 children, Jody (Dan) Searles, Muskego, WI; Scott (Lori) Withey, Wind Lake, WI; Mark (Lynn) Withey, Eastman, WI; 8 grandchildren Justin (Jenni) Hart, Tyler (April) Hart, Jordan Hart, Kate, Kelly, and Erin Withey, Danielle (Shane) Torgerson, and Nathan Withey; 1 great grandchild sweet baby Avery; a sister Joyce Tollefson; a sister-in-law Ruth Todd and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ken is preceded in death by an infant daughter Debra Lynn, his parents, a sister Faye, 3 brothers Laverne, Darrel, and Phil, and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law. Services will be announced at a later date with his final resting place in Dickson Cemetery, Lynxville, WI.