Kenneth G. Wilterdink

Kenneth George Wilterdink, 87, of Plymouth, passed away at Sharon Richardson Hospice Center in Sheboygan Falls on Thursday, September 16, 2021 following complications from heart surgery.

Ken was born January 23, 1934 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to George Ira and Ruth (Stokdyk) Wilterdink. He graduated from Central High School, Sheboygan in 1952, attended Mission House College (now Lakeland) one year, graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1956 with a Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering.  While in high school he enlisted in the US Naval Reserve, serving nine years and attaining the rank of Petty Officer, First Class.

Upon graduation in 1956 he married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn Kallweit, moving to California for the next nineteen years.  There he worked in steel manufacturing, insurance and sales and service of meat processing equipment.  He also pursued post graduate studies in Christian School Administration at Azusa-Pacific College.

His favorite hobby was flying, taking the family on many vacation trips and owning a Cessna 150 and participating ownership in various aircraft of flying clubs.  He had a lifelong interest in vocal music, hunting and fishing and marksmanship.  Besides family camping, he was active in the Boy Scouts of America, serving Troop Committee Chair in Santa Susana and backpacking with his son in the High Sierras.  He and Evelyn spent a lifetime singing together in various ensembles and choirs.  Ken also directed choirs and men’s choruses.

He assisted in the building and administration of a Christian pre-school and elementary school in Santa Barbara, California.  Returning the family to Wisconsin in 1973, Ken administered a City Block Grant program for Viroqua.  There the family lived in the country and operated an organic hobby farm.  Also, he was a board member qualifying Viroqua as a “Main Street City”.  At that time he was also a member of Founding Board of Directors forming the Coulee Region Organic Produce Pool (CROPP), now Organic Valley.  He was employed various times as a school bus driver, rural mail carrier, and in the Vernon County Human Services Department.  He served his Township as Assessor and as Building Permit Administrator.

He and Evie loved to travel, taking long trips by light plane, some in his beloved Cessna 150.  Later in life they did some world traveling.  He was also active in church leadership, serving in sunday school and on church councils.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn, his three children; Greg (Jody) of California, Lynn Berry of Wisconsin and Jeffrey (Annette) in Oklahoma.  He is also survived by ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Judy Schermacher.

According to Ken’s wishes, no public services will be held. Burial will be in the Hingham Cemetery.

Ken’s family extends a sincere thank you to the staff of Sharon Richardson Community Hospice Center for the care given to him and his family.