Kenneth Arthur Ruehlow

Kenneth Arthur Ruehlow received the Lord’s gift of eternal life when he died at home in the loving presence of his family July 28, 2024.

Ken was the son of Carl & Esther Ruehlow, born on March 13, 1937, in the Town of Oconomowoc. He would say that he was “born in a barn,” with his life literally beginning on the family farm. Here he grew up helping his parents with cows and doing field work. He liked to drive big tractors and would often help neighbors with field work.

Ken was baptized on April 1, 1937, as a beloved child of God and promised a great inheritance. He affirmed his baptism during a service of confirmation on March 18, 1951 at Dr. Martin Luther Church where he was a life-long member.

Ken attended a one-room schoolhouse a block from home before heading into Oconomowoc for high school. He graduated from Oconomowoc High School in 1955.

Ken had a life-long love for auto racing. Before graduating, Ken and a group of friends made a plan to attend the Indianapolis 500. He simply left his parents a note about where was going and headed to Indianapolis. Ken and friends had no tickets and no place to stay, but they still got into the race.

After graduation Ken entered the Navy and served four years as engine mate working on diesel engines. He also served as the ship captain’s designated driver when he went on shore.

The night before leaving for military service, Ken was introduced, on a blind date, to a young woman named Karen Benner. They maintained contact through his Navy years and upon his return were married on July 16, 1960. God blessed them with 64 years of marriage. Together they raised 3 children: Keith, Keli, and Kara.

In 1963, Ken & Karen built a house next to their home he had grown up in; it was the place he would live the rest of his life.

The majority of Ken’s working years were spent at MSI General. He was a construction foreman, erecting steel buildings for 26 years. He retired from MSI in 1993 before doing some part-time work for the Town of Oconomowoc driving trucks and plowing snow – a lifetime dream.

Ken was an avid race car fan. Family trips were made to the Slinger Speedway. He enjoyed watching Nascar races. A great joy in his life was helping brother Gerry work on his race car and serving as a part of the pit crew during races at Road America. He later did the same work for his nephew, Dave Ruehlow. Thursday “car nights” were special nights for Ken.

God gifted Ken with great mechanical ability. He could make or fix just about anything. He enjoyed restoring old cars and tractors. Ken and Karen always planted a big garden. They enjoyed traveling. Especially memorable trips were made to Ireland and on riverboat cruises. The family also did a lot of weekend camping when their kids were young.

God fed Ken faithfully with Word & Sacrament at Dr. Martin Luther Church. He served on the Church Council. He helped with maintenance and grounds keeping. He also was member of the Building Committee for the last new addition to the church building.

But what Ken loved most of all was time spent with family. He loved playing cards, sharing stories at family gatherings, and watching grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up. He was so proud of his family. He was blessed with 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

After many years of fighting cancer, Ken died at home on July 28, 2024. He is now welcomed into the eternal home promised by his loving Savior.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl & Esther Ruehlow, his brothers, Donald & Gerald Ruehlow, his sister Audrey Maasch, brothers-in-law Cy Daley & Elroy Maasch, and sister-in-law Judy Ruehlow.

Those with whom Ken shared love and life and now grieve his death include his wife, Karen, his son Keith Ruehlow (Lisa), his daughters Keli Melcher (Nate), and Kara Greiten (Mark), seven grandchildren, Jacob Greiten (Lindsay), Kayleigh Hainstock (Ryan), Nicholas Melcher (Nick), Brandon Melcher (Dani), Morganne Melcher, Sarah Ruehlow (Mark), and Anna Ruehlow (Dave); 2 great-grandchildren Cohan and Kennedy Hainstock; sister-in-law Kathy Ruehlow and other extended family and friends.

Thanks be to God for the life and faith of Kenneth Arthur Ruehlow, beloved Child of God.

Ken’s funeral services will be held at Dr. Martin Luther Church in Oconomowoc on Saturday, August 3 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation 9:00-11:00 a.m. and burial at the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Watertown at 2:00 p.m.