Kenneth 'Kenny' J. Zaehler

Kenneth “Kenny” J. Zaehler, age 63, died Saturday, October 20, 2012, at Kenosha Estates Living Care Center, due to Cruetzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD).  Kenneth was born in Racine, September 2, 1949, son of William and Constance (Nee:  Thompson) Zaehler Jr.

Kenneth was a graduate of William Horlick High School “Class of 1967.”  He proudly served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.  He was scheduled to leave for Vietnam, when he lost his leg in a freak accident on the boat dock.   Kenny worked as a taxi driver supervisor, installed security alarms, and was a personal driver for Sam Johnson before working at the U.S. Postal Service in Racine as a clerk from 1978 till retirement in 2003.  He met his future wife, Lynette M. Wensing, at the post office and on September 5, 1995, they were united in marriage.  Kenny loved to read, write books, travel, play computer games, and a good poker game.  He especially loved playing schafskopf every week with his card club buddies.  Kenny had a great sense of humor.  He would tell stories that you would think to be true until he delivered the punch line at the end.  He will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his loving wife of seventeen years, Lyn; son (step), Dan Wensing (Matthew Cole); mother, Connie Anderson; sister, Cindy Bushey; brother, Steve (Renae) Zaehler; mother-in-law, Marianne LaFournier; brothers-in-law, Jim LaFournier, Les Jensen; Aunt Beverly Thompson; his little dog, Zoe; several nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and dear friends.  He was preceded in death by his father, William Zaehler Jr.; sister, Cheryl Jensen; stepfather, Ralph Anderson; and brother-in-law, Duff Bushey.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 26, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.  Interment with full military honors will follow at Graceland Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Friday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until time of service at 10:30 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Kenny’s name can be made to:  CJD Foundation, P.O. Box 5312, Akron, OH 44334 or to Orphaned Kanines, 1922 Kremer Ave, Racine, WI  53402.

A thank you to the nurses, aides and staff at Kenosha Estates and a big hug to Kenny’s Angel, Kim.  Thank you to Season’s Hospice, especially, Jenny.  Thank you to Dr. Paul Durbin and his staff for all the help along the way.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine  (262) 634-7888