Kenneth J. McLellan

Kenneth James McLellan, a man liked by everyone he met, made a final flight to eternal heaven at the age of 91. Dearly loved by his wife, Helen, and sons, Paul and Mike, he will be greatly missed. Ken's life was a testament to the idea that where you start doesn't define how far you can go-but it certainly shapes the heart you take with you.

Ken was born and lived in Three Lakes, Wisconsin. As the fifth of six children in a modest two-bedroom home, life was simple but demanding. He grew up with an outhouse for a bathroom and spent humid summer nights sleeping on a screened-in porch. He graduated from Three Lakes High School in a close-knit class of just 23 students.

Answering the call of duty, Ken enlisted in the United States Army. After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood and further instruction at Fort Rucker, he served at Fort Ord as a helicopter mechanic. He took immense pride in maintaining the "banana" tandem rotor helicopters, a role that sparked a lifelong passion for aviation.

Upon his honorable discharge, Ken returned to Wisconsin, living with his sister Mary Lou and brother-in-law Peter Erickson. The trio ventured into business together, purchasing a tavern in Greenville, Wisconsin, which also included acquiring the Silver Dome Ballroom. It was an era of celebration; when Ken married the love of his life, Helen, it was there that they hosted a staggering 600 guests for dinner. Many fond stories were relived surrounding the tavern and Ballroom.

The couple's 61-year marriage began with the newlyweds driving their Chevy, fully equipped with Wisconsin winter snow tires, all the way to Miami Beach. After a day on the beach, Ken and Helen rolled up to a swanky club, surrounded by Jaguars and Cadillac Eldorados, where the valets got a chuckle at the oversized tires not often seen in Florida. Ken and Helen recounted this memory with laughter for decades.

The couple eventually settled in Appleton, where Ken worked diligently to provide for his family, from selling Yellow Pages to tending bar at the Columbus Club. After working a variety of jobs, he took a leap of faith, borrowing from everyone he knew to become half-owner of Com-Tec, a high-tech prison security business. Alongside his business partner, they grew the company into a major success, allowing him to pay off his loans early and enjoy a well-deserved early retirement.

From serving as a Scoutmaster to being a devoted fan in the bleachers, Ken was a pillar of support for his sons, Paul and Mike. As the Scoutmaster of Troop 57, he led countless camping trips-from the waters of the Namakagon River to winter camping in the frozen woods of Boulder Junction. Including both his sons, he took immense pride in guiding many young men to the rank of Eagle Scout. As the proud father of UW-Stevens Point swimmers, he spent countless weekends traveling across the state to watch their swim meets, rarely missing a chance to cheer them on.

Ken was also keenly interested in the lives of his four grandsons. Proudly bearing witness to each of their milestone achievements in their lives, he especially enjoyed one-on-one time via phone call or in-person visits, offering words of advice or wisdom.

Ken's passions were aviation and golfing, spending as much time as he could doing either.

Earning his private pilot's license in 1979. Ken's work connections allowed him to fly the single-engine Cessna alongside the icons like Deke Slayton and General Jimmy Doolittle. His flying stories were legendary, including a trip to Montana where a late-day fuel stop with waning sunlight forced an end to that day's flight, leading him and his then-flying partner, Ed Zepka, to crash a wedding at a North Dakota motel.

A fixture at Ridgeway Country Club, Ken celebrated a "once in a lifetime" hole-in-one in 1995. However, his most treasured days were spent on the course with Paul and Mike, including Helen riding along in the cart to share the sunshine of the day.

Ken found deep meaning in belonging to the Masonic brotherhood, recently receiving his 30-year certificate. Embodying the Masonic values of charity and community, he spent years flipping burgers at Brat Fries to raise scholarship money for local students.

Ken and Helen experienced the joys of exploring the world with their lifelong travel companions, Mary Lou and Ingrid, from the streets of Berlin and London to the hills of Scotland and Ireland. They also found relief from Wisconsin winters by escaping to their second home in Venice, Florida.

Ken leaves behind a legacy of hard work, adventure, and an abundance of love. It was incredibly meaningful to the immediate family that during the last weeks for he to see so many lifelong friends and family share their love for knowing him.

Ken is survived by his wife Helen (Magoon), and children Paul (Michelle), and Mike (Beth). He is also survived by grandchildren Brett (Emily), Blake, Callahan, and Wil.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Francis and Gertrude McLellan (Peterson). His sisters Mary Lou, Pat, Tess, Sara, and brother Francis "Bud".

The family would like to thank ThedaCare Hospice, including the wonderful caregivers at Cherry Meadows.

A memorial service for Ken will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025 at SAINT PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH, 500 W Marquette Street, Appleton with Fr. James Jugenheimer officiating. Visitation will be the night before on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at BRETTSCHNEIDER TRETTIN NICKEL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 606 N Oneida Street, Appleton from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with a Masonic service to conclude the evening. Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service the following day at church.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Shriners Children's Hospital.