Kenneth L. Roelse went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday evening April 4, 2026 at Aurora Medical Center in Sheboygan after a brief illness. He was 80 years old.
Ken was born October 1, 1945 in Sheboygan, the son of Abraham and Enid (Voigt) Roelse. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School, and graduated from Sheboygan South High School in 1963. He went on to study at the University of Wisconsin – Sheboygan until proudly serving his country in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1970 on the USS Princeton during Vietnam. Ken later returned to college and graduated from MATC with an Associates degree in Business Administration.
On May 2, 1966, he was united in marriage with Mary Ann Damrow in New Buffalo, Michigan.
Ken worked in administration, and in 2011 retired as an Operations Analyst from General Parts in Waukesha after 15 years. Prior, he worked as an Assistant Manager and Manager for Piggly Wiggly stores for 29 years, and then in Maintenance at The American Club in Kohler.
Ken was a former member of Southside Alliance Church and currently belonged to Sheboygan Evangelical Free Church where he was part of the Baby Care Ministry and participated in Bible Studies. A man of God, Ken demonstrated his Christian faith in his daily life and read the Bible regularly. Ken also was loyal to his Saturday morning Bible Studies at McDonald’s.
Ken was a former member of the Oostburg School Board where he served as Vice President and volunteered with Meals on Wheels with Mary. When his children were young, he was a Boy Scout Leader and Soccer Coach, and spent his summers camping with family. He cherished time outdoors, especially visiting Lake Michigan and Terry Andre State Park. He was a devoted husband and caregiver to his wife, dedicated and loving father, and always present for the events of his children and grandchildren. A leader with integrity in all he did, Ken will be remembered as patient, kind and generous.
Ken is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Mary; their children Kimberly (Paul) Werth of Sheboygan and Park Roelse of Corpus Christi, TX, and daughter-in-law Erika Roelse of Padre Island, TX. He is further survived by his grandchildren: Nathanael Werth of Chicago, IL, Joshua (Catalina) Werth of Lynchburg, VA, Bethany Werth (fiancé Matthew Walz) of Sheboygan, Lily Werth of Sheboygan and Lainey Roelse of TX; brother Craig (Kim) Roelse of Pueblo West, CO, brother-in-law Ed Winkel of Gibbsville, sister-in-law Susan Damrow of Sheboygan, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his sister Deborah Winkel, infant siblings Mark and Cynthia Roelse, brother-in-law Gerald Damrow and granddaughter Bak Jieun.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, April 24th at Sheboygan Evangelical Free Church in Sheboygan. The family will receive visitors at the church on Friday from 11:00am and 1:00pm. Ken will be laid to rest at Greenlawn Memorial Park with Full Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Sheboygan Evangelical Free Church, Meals on Wheels or Campus Life.
Wenig Funeral Home – Oostburg (920-564-2771) is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit wenigfh.com for online condolences.
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