Kenneth Wierschem

Kenneth "Ken" C. Wierschem, 78, of Minocqua, Wis., passed away peacefully, surrounded by family Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign, due to complications from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease.)

Ken was born Aug. 21, 1939, in Milwaukee, Wis., to Henry and Sylvia Wierschem. After high school, he spent three years serving the country in the U.S. Army before obtaining his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and his master’s degree from Northwestern University.

Ken worked as a math teacher and business manager for the Antioch Community High School District in Antioch, Ill., prior to retiring to Minocqua. The last several years, Ken and wife Jane spent winters in Florida.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John "Jack"; and sister, Jean (Hank) Raasch.

Ken is survived by his wife, Jane; daughter, Julie (Art) Conlon of Cypress, Texas; son, John (Judy) Wierschem of Champaign; grandchildren, Brandi (Matt) Wernli, Sgt. Cody Conlon, and Scott, Jack and Ryan Wierschem; and great-grandson, Jaxon Wernli. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Barbara (Jack) Wierschem; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made in Ken's memory to the Muscular Dystrophy Association by visiting www.mda.org.