Kenneth J. Sondalle

1944 - 2017

Sondalle, Kenneth J.

Kenneth J. Sondalle, age 73, of Neshkoro, passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2017, at Pleasant Park Place in Ripon. He was born on January 23, 1944, in Fond du Lac, WI, a son of Alex and Regina (Bartol) Sondalle. Ken married the love of his life, Jane Cohan, on July 3, 1967, in Maple Grove, WI.

Ken received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and his Master in Social Work Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He began his 33-year career with the Department of Corrections as a social worker for the camp system in 1967. His career included positions at Ethan Allen, Lincoln Hills, Black River Falls, Waupun Correctional and at the Department in Madison, where he advanced to the position of Administrator for all Adult Institutions. He retired as Warden of the Fox Lake Correctional Institution in 2001. Ken was fiercely proud of the Department of Corrections and the staff that worked in this often-difficult environment. After retiring from corrections, he continued to work in real estate, where he enjoyed helping people find their homes and land.

Ken loved his family and spending time at the lake with his grandchildren. He also loved planting and working with trees, hunting and fishing, polka music and the comradery and stories at the annual Sondalle Deer Camp. Ken was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Correctional Association and the American Tree Farm System.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Jane Sondalle of Neshkoro; 4 children, Carmen (Steve) Kutsch of Mount Pleasant, WI, Craig (Anne) Sondalle of Mundelein, IL, Christopher (Nicole) Sondalle of Sheboygan, WI, Carrie (Steve) Siettmann of Neenah, WI; 8 grandchildren, Sydney, Allie, Erin Kutsch; Graham Sondalle; Cohan, Connor Sondalle; Zofia and Alex Siettmann; brother, Jim (Mary Ann) Sondalle of Princeton, WI; sister, Barbara Sondalle of Bartlett, IL; brother-in-law, John Cohan of Whitelaw, WI; special nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Regina Sondalle; stepfather, Donald Mlodzik; sister-in-law, Nancy Cohan.

Visitation for Kenneth J. Sondalle will take place on Thursday, August 24, from 5:00-8:00 p.m., at St. James Catholic Church, 315 N. Main St. in Neshkoro. A Memorial Mass for Ken will take place on Friday, August 25, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation starting at 9:00 a.m., at St. James. Father Dale Grubba will conduct the service. Please visit our website www.wachholzandsons.com to send a condolence or to share a memory of Ken with those that were blessed to know him. In lieu of flowers, if you prefer, donations can be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic School, located at 125 Church Street, Princeton, WI 54968. A memorial scholarship fund is being established in Ken's name.

Our thanks and love to the family and friends that walked with us during this journey. Also, thank you to the staff at Pleasant Park Place and Agnesian Hospice Hope who cared for Ken, especially Amy Morgan-Schilder.