Kenneth Kirker

Kenneth Kirker, 92, of Crandon, WI passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at his granddaughter's house surrounded by family. Kenneth was born November 17, 1930, in Argonne the son of William and Ethel (Codd) Kirker.
Ken's life started with humble beginnings on a 40-acre farm in Argonne. If you sat with Ken, he could tell of how Argonne once was a thriving metropolis with its grocery stores, multiple gas stations, and local creamery to which the Kirker children would often take buckets of cream to make some cash. At a very young age, their mother passed away and Ken left school after 8th grade and set off to work to help support the younger siblings. His first job was in a cannery in Sturgeon Bay, which seemed very far from home back in the day. Later, he went to work on ships that were navigating the Great Lakes. The three main ships he was aboard were the Norm B. Ream, the Leon Fraser, and the George A. Sloan. He loved working on the lakes but another love came into his life which led to marriage and children. So Ken left the lakes to work for Conners in Laona. After years of working in the Laona mill, Ken switched jobs to work for the Rhinelander paper mill because he and his wife Joan bought a working dairy farm from Ed and Frieda Wagoner. His farming life included his passions for riding horses, driving tractors, and planting a giant garden. The farm was also a place where Ken and Joan could raise their children and welcome their grandchildren for many summers. Ken lived out the rest of his days on his beloved farm.
Surviving are his daughters, Katherine Carpenter, Argonne; Patricia Kirker, Mexico; Alicia (Grant) Bradley, Crandon; Mary Beth (Dave) Desens, Fredonia; son, Kenneth (Belinda) Kirker Jr.; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Cora and Mildred; brothers, Bill, Jackie, Larry, Bobby, Benny and a great-grandchild, Austin.
Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Argonne United Methodist Church with Pastor Don Dewing officiating. Burial to follow at Crandon Lakeside Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to the time of service.
Online condolences for the family can be directed to www.weberhillfuneralhome.com