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Kenneth Stemler Obituary
July 20, 1952 - May 21, 2024
Apex, North Carolina - Kenneth Herman Stemler, 71, of Apex, formerly of Maroa IL, passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Transitions LifeCare facility, Raleigh, NC with his loved ones by his bedside. His daughters, son-in-law and granddaughters are deeply saddened by his death.
Ken, the youngest of three children, was born July 20, 1952 in Red Bud, IL to the late Walter Stemler and Dorothy (Schroeder) Stemler. After graduating from Valmeyer High School in 1970, he attended and graduated from the University of Illinois with his B.S. in Dairy Science. It was during his college days that he met his wife, Luann (Wikoff) Stemler. Ken and Luann married on December 7th, 1974 in Maroa, IL. While Ken had always grown up milking cows and living on the dairy farm in Valmeyer, IL, the two ultimately decided to make Maroa their home where they raised their two daughters, Colleen and Nicole. In the beginning, Ken farmed with his father-in-law, Bill Wikoff but eventually took over the farm himself. Ken had a love for farming and never allowed his HSP (Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia) to hold him back from doing what he loved until he retired in 2008.
It was in 2009 when Ken and Luann moved to Apex, NC to be closer to their grandchildren. While during retirement Ken enjoyed watching sports, helping his wife quilt and attending Merritt's Chapel Church in Chapel Hill, NC. His belief and faith in God's love is what sustained him during Luann's battle with cancer and eventual death. His faith continued to be a key part in his own life and medical journey especially when diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer of last year.
Ken found tremendous joy in spending time with his family whether it was going on trips, watching his girls and granddaughters play sports or even just going out to eat to find the best steak and dessert. Family has always been his top priority and he was always their biggest supporter.
A special thanks to Paula Nunley who openly embraced Ken and brought so much joy to his life these last 9 years. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his daughters, Colleen Stemler of Cary, NC; and Nikki O'Connell and her husband, Brian, also Cary, NC; and two grandchildren Alexis (17) and Kallie (15) O'Connell.
A special thanks to Sunrise of Cary for their amazing community and Transitions LifeCare who played a pivotal role in his last year.
The family will receive friends 5-7pm Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at Merritt's Chapel Church, 1090 Farrington Point Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517. A Celebration of Life will be held in Illinois at Greg and Lori Wentworth's home 1-3pm Saturday, June 1, 2024 and immediately following Ken will ride in the combine one more time while his girls spread his ashes to be reunited with Luann on their farm in Maroa.
Per Ken's wishes, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ken's name to Merritt's Chapel Church. Condolences can be shared online at apexfuneral.net
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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