Kenneth Prieve

Kenneth W. Prieve, 69, of Wausau, joined hands with his son Andy and Daughter Melissa in Heaven, on Friday, December 14, 2018, with his loving wife, granddaughters and sister by his side.

Ken was born in Wausau on January 14, 1949 to the late Harold and Loretta (Eckes) Prieve. He met, fell in love and married the love of his life, Sharon Bedish, on September 23, 1972. After graduating from D.C. Everest, Ken went onto NTC to get his degree as an Electrician. He worked at K&M Electric and then at Van Ert Electric; where he worked until his retirement at the age of 62.

Fishing, hunting, and making maple syrup were some of the things that Ken loved to do. He enjoyed traveling from hunting shack to hunting shack; playing cards, sharing stories and having a couple of cold ones with the guys. He loved to take his four-wheeler out with his granddaughters, driving through the woods around their beloved cabin in the Town of Hewitt. He was a great bowler, although, he was one of the few bowlers who could bowl a 300 game without getting in the 600 series. Ken loved the sport of soft ball, in fact it was a family loved sport. He, Melissa and Sharon were all on a different softball team at one time. Ken, however played from youth softball all the way until the “Old Timers” group. Playing for many sponsors along the way. Ken kept life interesting for Sharon, and there was seldom a dull moment in their lives, especially when he was out in the woods on his trusty Kubota tractor. And even though Ken could be stubborn and sassy, there was never a question on how much he truly loved his family. They all find peace in knowing that Ken is now in the hands of his Lord and Savior with his son Andy and daughter Melissa at his side.

Ken is survived by his wife, Sharon; granddaughters, Emma and Lindsay Fleming; son-in-law, Terry Fleming; sisters, Shirley (Merritt) Gleason and Mary (Butch Bliese); brother, Terry (Mary) Prieve; his father and mother-in-law, Maynard and Lucille Bedish; sister-in-law, Carol Prieve; brother-in-law, Dennis (Sue) Bedish; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son Andy; his daughter Melissa; brother, Patrick Prieve and his step-dad, Orville Lodholz.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 512 McClellan St, Wausau. Pastor Jen Dahle will officiate. Visitation will take place from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 18, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce Street, Wausau. And again from 9:30 until the time of services at the church. Burial will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park. Please sign the family guestbook at helke.com.

The family wishes to thank Amy Chybowski of the UW Madison Pulmonary Clinic for all her care and dedication throughout Ken’s illness.

Sharon would especially like to thank her family and friends for always being there and helping her through these very difficult days. Your being here to help her through both the recent loss of her daughter and now her husband mean more that you could ever know. You are all a blessing.