Kenneth Dean Williamson

Ken Williamson, 82, previously of Pine Bluff, lately residing in Madison, Wisconsin passed away at his home Tuesday afternoon, October 19, 2010 with his son, Larry, by his side. Ken was born March 3, 1928 at his parents\' farm in the Town of Cross Plains, Dane County, the son of James and Alrine (Lorenz) Williamson. \"Kenny\" was the youngest of 6 children, loved and indulged by his brothers, sister, and parents who welcomed this new addition to their family who was so much younger than the other children. His cousins delight in remembering that, eighty years ago, when he was two years old and the relatives gathered for get-togethers, they\'d give him a penny and Kenny would dance a jig for them. Ken attended first through eighth grades at Coyle School. On his first day of first grade he was seated next to his sister, Alice, in the one-room schoolhouse as the teacher read off the rules of the classroom. She had just finished announcing the \"no talking allowed\" rule when Kenny leaned over to his sister and asked, \"What did she say?\" As punishment, he spent his first lunch hour on his first day of school inside the classroom while the rest of the children played outside. Ken was a very mischievous youngster, easy-going, fun-loving and always smiling. He ran track at Mt. Horeb High School and graduated in 1946. He was a lifelong member of West Middleton Lutheran Church. Ken married Janice Ardelle Hoffmann on June 11, 1949 at St. Paul\'s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marxville and they lived next door to the Williamson family farm on Mineral Point Road in the Town of Cross Plains for 35 years. In the early 1980\'s Ken and Jan moved to a home on Madison\'s northeast side where they lived for many years, switching later to a seniors-only apartment building on the far east side. After Jan\'s death less than three weeks ago, he moved to an assisted-living apartment in Mt. Horeb only six days before his death. Ken was involved in the grocery business nearly all his working years. He was employed at Sentry Foods on Mineral Point Road for many years and worked at Fauerbach\'s and Ken Kopp\'s Fine Foods on Monroe St. as store manager until he retired due to health concerns. His customers always looked forward to Ken\'s smile and his cheerful disposition. He was fun to work with but co-workers kept a wary eye on Ken because that mischievous little boy still lurked inside and he was known to play a trick or two on them, all in good fun. Ken was a very good bowler, being a part of many men\'s leagues, as well as in a couple\'s league with Jan. He enjoyed camping up north at \"The Woods\" with his family as his kids were growing up but deep down he was a homebody. Although he traveled with Jan while his health permitted, Ken was happiest at home. His favorite place to be was in his big recliner which always had enough room for a grandchild to sit next to him. Ken enjoyed sharing stories from his childhood and young adulthood, helping keep alive in our memory all our loved ones from the past. Ken is survived by his children: Larry (Pam) Williamson of Madison, Perry (Susan) Williamson of Hannibal MO, Nancy (David) Spencer of Dale, and Judy Williamson of New Glarus. His is also survived by his grandchildren: Joshua Williamson of Madison, Leslie (Matt) Hill of Waukesha, Richie Williamson of Phoenix AZ, Jim (Anne) Williamson of Fairbanks AK, Ashley Williamson of Hannibal MO, Sam Spencer of Grand Forks ND, Maddie Spencer of Madison, and his great-granddaughter, Isabelle Williamson of Hannibal MO. Other survivors include his sister-in-law Hildegard (Pat) Williamson and many nieces and nephews. Ken was preceded in death by his wife Janice, his parents James and Alrine, his brothers Wesley, Lloyd, Ralph (Bud), and Glenn, his sister, Alice, his sisters-in-law Milda, Eve, and Selma, and his brothers-in-law Walter (Mac) and Tom. Ken\'s funeral service will be held October 23, 2010 at West Middleton Lutheran Church, Verona, Wisconsin. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am with the service starting at 11:00. The Rev. David Brandfass will officiate. Ken\'s family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dane County HospiceCare for the companionship and expert care they provided Ken during this past year. Thank you all for your friendship, for helping our dad remain in his home, and preserving the highest possible quality of life for him. Visitation: Visitation will begin at 9:30 am with the service starting at 11:00 Service: Ken\'s funeral service will be held October 23, 2010 at West Middleton Lutheran Church, Verona, Wisconsin.