Kenneth 'Kenny' A. Meixner

Kenneth Arnold Meixner Jr., age 34, of Ellsworth, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at his residence.

Kenny was born in Stillwater, Minnesota, the son of Kenneth and Brenda (Parent) Meixner. He was raised in Ellsworth, where he attended school and made lifelong connections. At just 10 years old, Kenny suffered a heartbreaking loss — the death of his father. His dad wasn’t just a parent; he was Kenny’s closest friend and biggest source of comfort and confidence. That kind of loss at such a formative age left a deep mark on his heart — one that shaped his path forward.

In the years that followed, Kenny wrestled with the grief and emptiness that came from losing someone so central to his life. That pain sometimes came out in hard ways, through personal struggles and addiction — challenges that he never wanted, but often felt powerless to escape. Like so many who battle quietly, Kenny carried burdens few could fully understand. Yet through it all, his love for family, his loyalty to friends, and his genuine laughter remained at the core of who he was.

Kenny was a gearhead through and through — drawn to anything with an engine, especially if it went fast. He had a natural talent for tearing motors apart and rebuilding them with no guide and no leftover bolts. Whether it was cars, snowmobiles, or boats, he found joy in the mechanics and thrill of it all. He loved being on the river, casting a line to see what might bite, or snowmobiling across frozen lakes when winter set in.

Some of his best memories were spent on his grandparents, Norman and Mary Huppert and family farm, where he learned to drive tractors and help with chores — moments that gave him a sense of belonging and pride. He loved deeply and was proud to be a dad to his son, Gavin. He found comfort and companionship with his fiancée, Jessica DeMars, and her children, and his dogs, Bella and Leroy Brown, were his constant, unconditional companions.

Kenny wasn’t defined by his struggles — he was more than that. He was someone who laughed loudly, felt deeply, gave generously, and always tried to find his footing, even when life made it hard. He didn’t always have peace in this life, but he never stopped looking for it.

Kenny is survived by his son, Gavin; his mother, Brenda; his brother, Tanner Huppert (Kennedy); his grandmother, Helen Parent; his fiancée, Jessica DeMars, and her children, Gage, Carter, and Ava; his honorary brothers, Nick and Travis; his aunts and uncles, Scott (Jody) Parent, Dennis (Luanne) Meixner, Barb Meixner, and Jan (Denny) Bruenner; and many cousins, extended family members, and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Meixner Sr.; grandfather, Leonard Parent; grandparents, Arnold and Loretta Meixner; and uncle, John Meixner.

Graveside services honoring Kenny’s life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 28, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Arkansaw. There, he will be laid to rest beside his father — a reunion he longed for with all his heart. Memorials are appreciated to help offset final expenses.

Arrangements are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ellsworth. For more information or to share a memory, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-273-4421.