Kenneth Pitsch

VISITATION:

4-7 p.m., Wednesday, June 7 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 13989 195th St. in Jim Falls and from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Thursday also at the church

SERVICE:

10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 8 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 13989 195th St. in Jim Falls

Kenneth A. "Kenny" Pitsch, 86, of Jim Falls, died Sunday, June 4, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family and while under the care of Mayo Hospice.

He was born June 13, 1930 in Cornell to Inga (Schultz) and Ben Pitsch. He grew up in Jim Falls and attended Popple Lake School, and graduated from Chippewa Falls High School, class of 1948.

Following high school, Kenny enlisted in the US Air Force, serving as an airplane mechanic during the Korean Conflict, from 1948 until his honorable discharge in 1952. After serving, he returned to Jim Falls and worked at Jim Falls Dairy. He then went to work for Northern States Power for over 30 years, retiring in 1990.

On May 11, 1954, he married Cecelia Berg at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Bloomer. They resided in Jim Falls, where they were faithful members of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Jim Falls.

Kenny was 30 year member of the Jim Falls Lions Club, and was a respected member of the Jim Falls community. He played football for the Chippewa Marines; played baseball for Jim Falls baseball teams, including the Jim Falls Dairy Team and the Old Abe's, where the nickname "Kenny or can't he" was coined. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, taking rides, hiking and cheering on the Brewers and Packers. He looked forward to annual spring fishing trips to Canada, fall hunting trips to Wyoming, and the annual deer hunt at his beloved Silver Dollar Camp in Cornucopia. Though nothing compared to how proud he felt when he attended one of his grandchildren's events. He never missed a game, dance recital, concert or graduation. Kenny always had a twinkle in his eye, especially when he talked about his family.

In 2015, Kenny was selected to take the Freedom Honor Flight. He flew to Washington D.C. with his son, Steve and his best friend Verlyn "Spike" Ehlers.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Cecelia of Jim Falls; five children, Suzie (Pat) Rykal of Cadott, Julie (Bill) Normand of Chippewa Falls, Steve (Elizabeth) Pitsch of Chippewa Falls, Dale "Butch" (Jill) Pitsch of Jim Falls, Brian (Kim) Pitsch of Jim Falls; a sister, Shirley Murrell of Jerome, ID; a brother, Keith (Roxie) Pitsch of Jim Falls; sister-in-law, Joan

Johnson of Bloomer; 16 grandchildren, Christopher Rykal, Alissa (Dakota) Hladilek, Sarah Normand, Alex (Laurel) Normand, Mark Pitsch, Stephanie (Brady) Blodgett, Derick Peters, Hailey Pitsch, Benjamin (Samantha) Pitsch, Nicholas Pitsch, Andrew (Elizabeth) Pitsch, Kiana, Tess and Meili Pitsch, Michael (fiance Whitney Pilgrim) Pitsch, Jessica (fianc Jacob Harder) Pitsch; nine great-grandchildren, Abigale and Madeline Normand, Cory, Brooklyn, Abigail and Cheyenne Blodgett, Hunter, Jordy and Emily Pitsch.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father-in-law, Eleanor & Joseph Berg; brothers and sisters-in-law, Stuart Murrell, Norbert & Angie Berg, Art & Eve Berg, Lorraine & Chuck Barth, Leon & Arlene Berg, and Francis Berg.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 8 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Jim Falls with Fr. Eric Linzmaier celebrating the Mass. Interment with military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Jim Falls and one hour prior to the service Thursday, also at the church.

Memorials in Kenny's honor may go to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 13989 195th St., Jim Falls, WI 54748; the Freedom Honor Flight, PO Box 505, LaCrosse, WI 54602; or to the charity of your choice.

Kenny's family would like to express their gratitude and thanks to the staff at the Mayo Cancer Center; Dr. Basu; and to Mayo Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion shown to Kenny during his illness.