Kenneth Siemers

Siemers, Kenneth Duane MADISON-Kenneth Siemers, age 83, passed away at UW Hospital on Thursday, July 2, 2009, following a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born Aug. 20, 1925, in Eau Claire, the son of Arnold and Margaret (Gropp) Siemers. He graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army from 1944 until 1949 stationed in France and other locations. Ken received a bachelor\'s degree in American institutions from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, attending on the GI Bill, and living in GI housing in Camp Randall for a period of time. He was united in marriage to Lorene Larsen on Sept. 1, 1951. After working for Neesvig\'s Meats and the First National Bank, Ken began employment with the State of Wisconsin in 1967. He worked for the Division of Industry, Labor, and Human Relations as a research analyst until his retirement in 1990. His volunteer work was particularly gratifying to him. He spoke often of the children he read with as mentor-reader at Hawthorne Elementary School. Ken was a nominee for the United Way Community Volunteer Award this spring, in recognition of his 14 years of service at Hawthorne. Ken\'s other passion was prairie restoration-- volunteering with Dane County Parks collecting seed, removing invasive species, planting prairie plants, as well as maintaining his own prairie plot. An environmentalist, he proudly drove hybrid cars and had a solar electric system in his home, which was listed in the Midwest Renewable Energy Association\'s Tour of Homes for the last several years. He was an avid bicyclist, commuting to work by bike in all weather for most of his career. He had a love of words and language; a dictionary and crossword puzzles were always close at hand. Ken marched to his own drum in many ways, and his musical taste ranged from Mozart to mariachi. During his retirement he looked after selected dogs in his home. He enjoyed being a member of the Technical Club of Madison, and attending a variety of stimulating educational programs. Ken is survived by his children, Todd (Linda) and granddaughter, Amy of San Francisco, Calif.; and daughters, Sheri of Madison and Kelly Ludwig of St. Charles, Ill. He is also survived by his brother, Roger (Janice) of West Bend; and nephews, Jeff of Fond du Lac and David of Oshkosh. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; and former wife, Lorene Siemers. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2009, at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive., Madison, with the Rev. Jeff VandenHeuvel of Messiah Lutheran Church presiding. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may by given to Hawthorne Elementary School or Dane County Parks. The family would like to thank the staff of UW Hospital, Capitol Lakes Nursing Center and Oakwood Village West for their compassion and care. A special note of gratitude to family and friends for their loving support during his illness.\r\n \r\n Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may by given to Hawthorne Elementary School or Dane County Parks. Visitation: A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Service: A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2009, at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive., Madison, with the Rev. Jeff VandenHeuvel of Messiah Lutheran Church presiding.