Kenneth W. Wenkel, 95, of Waterloo, Illinois, born September 7, 1929 in Columbia, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his residence on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

Kenneth and his wife Delores worked their family farm in Columbia, IL, where they had several thousand laying hens and ducks.  They also grew vegetables and flowers.  He loved to go Polka Dancing with his wife. Ken was a lifelong member of the Fair Board Association and the Monroe County Farm Bureau.

He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 73 years, Delores Wenkel, nee Tebbenhoff; a son, Jim Wenkel and his parents, Elmer and Dora, nee Reichert, Wenkel; and a brother, Carl Wenkel.

Surviving are his daughter, Janice (Gene) Blandford of Waterloo, IL; a sister-in-law, Rosetta Wenkel of Columbia, IL; a niece, Kim (Floyd) Zoellers of Millstadt, IL; a nephew, Gary (Sue) Wenkel of Branson, MO; and his beloved dog, Susie.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Helping Strays of Waterloo, IL.

Condolences may be expressed online at braunfh.com.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April3, 2025 at Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia, Illinois.  A Memorial Service will immediately follow at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with Monsignor Carl Scherrer officiating.  A burial at Miles Cemetery, Waterloo, Illinois will be held at a later date.