Kenneth Strong

Kenneth Strong, 86, of Edgar passed away on Sunday, November 4, 2012 at the Wisconsin Veteran's Home in King, WI. He was born March 23, 1926 in Neenah to the late James and Marie (Wickersheim) Strong. Ken served his country in World War II in the Navy and later attended St. Norbert College. On July 12, 1949 Ken married DeLellis "Dee" Sommers in Stevensville, WI. Ken worked with Dee in the grocery business for 40 years, starting in Greenville at the Co-Op. They moved to Edgar to purchase the AG Store and later, joined Richard and Grace Wirkus in forming Ken and Dick's Grocery Store until retirement in 1990.

With a warm smile and cheery conversation, Ken was a great friend to many and a blessing to his family. Ken was a volunteer in the Edgar Fire Department, an Usher at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, and a member of the Edgar Lion's Club, the Knights of Columbus, and the VFW. Ken loved sports, beginning as a young man playing baseball and basketball. Later, he participated in bowling and golf. Ken was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially his fall adventures with sons, family and friends to the cabin up north. Ken spent treasured times with family on memorable vacations and at his second home in Florida.

Ken was a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He and Dee were very proud of their 6 children, Michael Strong, Catherine (Chuck) Hornung, Mary (Scott) Rogers, Bernadette (Gary) Christianson, Paul Strong, and Matthew (Amie) Strong; 14 grandchildren, Jaclyn Strong, Jessica (Matthew) Fillebrown, Amanda (Robert) Clarke, Stephanie (Michael) Tack, Elizabeth Rogers, Benjamin Rogers, Andrew Christianson, Adam Christianson, Hannah Christianson, Christopher Coates, Lillian Strong, Abigail Strong, Anabelle Strong, and Josephine Strong; 4 great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Sophia, Anastasia Fillebrown, and Charlotte Tack and one brother, Jerry Strong of Pewaukee.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Dee, daughter and son-in-law, Bernadette and Gary Christianson, two grandchildren, Andrew and Hannah Christianson, a sister, Lorraine and brother, Wally.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at Noon, Saturday, November 10, 2012 at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. Burial will follow at St. John Catholic Cemetery. Family will receive guests beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at church, and continue until the time of service.