Kenneth E. "Ken" Buchmeier

Kenneth “Ken” Eugene Buchmeier, 82, passed away peacefully Friday, March 8, at The Waterford in West Bend.

Ken was born July 13, 1941, the second youngest of six sons, to Alvin and Hilda Buchmeier of rural Lowell, Indiana where he grew up on the family farm tending to horses, dairy cows, chickens, and crops. In 1959, he graduated from Lowell High School where he played the snare drum in the high school band. In addition to his love of farming and animals, he enjoyed tractor and garden pulls, auto racing, woodworking, gardening, fishing, mechanics, and painting.

On October 5, 1963, at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, in Grant Park, Illinois, he married the love of his life, Myrna Bohl, who survives.

Ken and Myrna had often talked about wanting to live in Wisconsin, so when the opportunity became a reality in 1977, they made the move with their three young daughters. Shortly after, he began employment at Helgesen Industries in Hartford, where he worked as a welder for 32 years until his retirement in 2010. Throughout those years he also farmed and raised beef cattle.

In retirement, his love of working the soil led him to tilling plots at the Washington County Community Gardens in West Bend where he became known as “Ken the Tiller Guy.” He also maintained his own plot there and as well as vegetable gardens at home, sharing his wealth of produce with family, friends and the Full Shelf Food Pantry in West Bend.

Ken is survived by wife of 60 years, Myrna; daughters Pam (Paul) Braun of Eau Claire, Tina (Tom) Novak of Green Bay; Melissa Buchmeier, of Chicago, IL.; and Amanda Buchmeier of Roanoke,  VA; a brother, Terry (Janice) of Grant Park, IL.; a sister-in-law, Barbara of Curryville, MO; four grandchildren, Madeline, Noah, Adeline, and Micaela; nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Lester, LeRoy, Wallace, Alvin Jr.; and an infant son, John.

His family would like to thank The Waterford at West Bend and Horizon Hospice staff for their compassionate, conscientious and loving care.

A memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service, 1315 W. Washington Street, in West Bend, with visitation from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service. Graveside services will be held at West Creek Cemetery, Lowell, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ken’s name may be given to Full Shelf Food Pantry, West Bend.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service in West Bend is assisting the family with arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.