Town of Dale – Kenneth R. Thyssen, age 82, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, following a short battle with cancer. He was born on July 22, 1938, in Appleton son of the late Nicolaus and Anna (Welhouse) Thyssen. On June 18, 1960, he was united in marriage to Shirley Ruedinger in Appleton. Ken graduated from Appleton High School in 1956; he then went on to serve his country in the US Navy Seabees. Ken started working at American Can as a millwright where he worked for 42 years. He then operated Stoney Acres Concrete and Lawn Ornaments. His biggest compassion was his hobby farm, raising sheep and growing produce. He enjoyed spending the winter months in Texas. Ken was a member of the American Legion and The Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his wife Shirley; children, Jodi Monk, Dixon, IL; Sandy (Mike) Griesbach and Tim (Tammy) Thyssen both of Hortonville; 11 grandchildren: Brad (Miren) Monk, Bryan (Jamie) Monk, Vanessa (Aaron) Simonton, Desiree (Ed) Burke, Heather (Mike) Manteufel, Ashley (Bill) Smith, Stephanie (Scott) Russell, Trevor Griesbach, Taylor Thyssen, Taven Thyssen, and Troy Thyssen; 14 great-grandchildren: Maddison, Brycen, Braelynn, Abrielle, Emerson, Mia, Corbin, Ellie, Sam, Josh, Jack, Tyler, Tristan, and Jonathan; a brother Gerald (Beverly) Thyssen and a sister Elizabeth Burmeister. Ken is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Mary Rose and Joan (Eugene) LaPlante, a brother John “Jack” (Audrey) Thyssen and a brother-in-law Roy Burmeister.
Funeral Mass for Ken will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2021, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Hortonville with Fr. James Feely, Parish Director Greg Layton, and Deacon Joe Lehman officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Burial will be in the parish cemetery in the spring.
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