MIDDLETON / MADISON - Kenneth Irvin Goss, born on May 15, 1926, in Walnut Grove, Minn., passed away after 99 vibrant years, in his home on Sunday, January 4, 2026, in Madison, Wis., with family members at his side.

Son of Oliver and Esther Goss, Ken grew up in Tracy, Minn., with his six siblings. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. His older brothers, Raymond and Glen, were also in the Navy. Younger brother, Dale, later served in the Korean War.

Ken returned to the States after his service and picked Madison to look for work. He then took a job as a carpenter which led to the opportunity to become an electrician. He worked on commercial buildings, but in his spare time he volunteered for projects with IBEW 159 such as Holiday Fantasy Lights.

Ken met Eleanor Mary Becker in Madison after the war and married that pretty gal on September 19, 1947. They had four daughters and built a house on Camus Lane in the Spring Harbor Neighborhood. Eleanor preceded Ken in death on October 9, 2015. He lived in his house until he passed away. They loved gardening and produced bountiful vegetables and raspberries for their family. The house was surrounded by flowers which the daughters loved to snip for cuttings. The youngest daughter, Kathy, kept that love of gardening and became a Master Gardener.

Lake Mendota was another source of food for families after the war. Ken would ice fish while his girls were ice skating on the lake. He enjoyed deer hunting up north with sons-in-law, friends and daughter, Janis. Many hours were spent playing cribbage and euchre card games. The older he got, the more competitive he became! Camping was a favorite activity, and the family would travel out west to visit relatives. Daughter, Jean, was thankful when her father replaced the tent with a camper.

After the girls left home, Ken turned to more volunteer work. The Ronald McDonald House was under construction, and they needed electricians. He spent a year working in Madison on the project. He was active member of the American Legion Post 245 for many years. Ken volunteered yearly at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Wis., where he repaired and built structures.

Ken and Eleanor loved watching the grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in sporting events across the state. Whether it was a wet soccer field, a cold hockey rink, noisy football game or awesome gymnastics competition, they would show up to root for the kids.

In 2012, Ken flew to Washington, D.C., with daughter, Patty, as his sponsor on a Badger Honor Flight. It was one of his most memorable events of his lifetime.

Ken is survived by four daughters, Jean (Paul) Giesler of Reedsburg, Patricia (Dan) Adler of Middleton, Janis Goss of Verona and Kathy Esch of Des Moines, Iowa; six grandchildren, Beth (Chris) Keune of Seymour, Jody (Jason) Reed of Dresser, Kristine (Brent) Lindell of Verona, Jeremy (Tasha) Adler of Middleton, Sara (Patrick) Houlihan of Woodward, Iowa and Steve (Marloe) Esch of Milwaukee, and their father, Dave Esch; and eight great-grandchildren, Levi and Tanner Reed, Logan, Keegan and Carson Lindell, Gavin and Zach Adler and their mother, Tricia Adler, and Dakota Houlihan.

Join us in celebrating Ken’s life at ST. LUKE'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 7337 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, Wis., at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026. Pastor Brian will be presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service. Burial will take place at Sunset Memory Gardens.

The family would like to thank the team at Agrace for their amazing support to the family caregivers and for the compassionate care of Ken during his final days. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Agrace HospiceCare or St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.

Online condolences or memories may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761

Kenneth Goss

May 15, 1926 - January 04, 2026

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