Ken H. Lang

Ken’s Story

Kenneth H. Lang passed away at the age of 77 on March 4, 2026.

Ken was who you called first when something broke, wouldn’t start, trees needed chopping, or you didn’t know what to do. Armed with his trademark impatience, creative genius, and competitive streak, he approached every problem with an intent to win. Sometimes his tinkering resulted in designing and building the biggest wood splitter in the area, and other times it knocked out power to an entire city block, which was most likely followed with his trusty phrase “well dammit.”

He was born on August 8, 1948, to Rosemary and Hugo Lang. He grew up on the family farm in Cassel and attended school in Marathon. Ken served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War repairing airplanes. He later attended Blackhawk Technical School in Janesville where he met Kathy. They married in 1972, settled near Poniatowski, and created a life filled with devotion and good-natured teasing. After his service, he worked at Murray Machinery and JARP Industries as a Maintenance Electrician. Since he was never able to sit still, he also grew ginseng with his family for many years. Nights and weekends in the garage and ginseng garden gave his kids life-long lessons about hard work, determination, and essential life skills.

In his later years, dementia stole his words. Slowly the word “grass” took the place of any word he couldn’t speak, creating unforgettable moments. Conversations during this time were hard (and at times may have sounded illegal) but that made his stubbornness, smart-aleck smile, and laugh so very precious.

Ken’s lifelong friendship with Gene and Carol, later joined by Kathy, brought decades of laughter and treasured visits, even through his illness, and it meant the world to him, for which the family is deeply grateful.

Ken leaves behind the love of his life and wife of 53 years, Kathy; their four children, Kris (Dale), Carl, Karen (Matt), and Diane (Brad)—who will carry on his unique sense of humor, curiosity, and his love of being right. He is also survived by his siblings Robert (Colette), Ronald (Pam), Judy (Knicker), Cheryl (Mark), Sandy (Todd), Debbie (Bruce), and Laurie (Greg), and was a proud grandfather to Brandon (Jess), Emily (Max), Irie (Grant), Dylan, Trevor, Braxton, and Alex, and great-grandfather to Lillian.

The family would like to thank the staff at Dimensions Living in Rib Mountain and Interim HealthCare for their loving care and kindness—no matter how spicy Ken got. They made the darkest days easier and helped both Ken and a fiercely independent family learn to accept help.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue and again on Thursday, March 12, from 10:00 a.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church, Wausau, until the time of the service. A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Tom Lindner will preside. Burial with military honors provided by American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post 469 at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Marathon, will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you bring a copy of your best Kenny story, donate to a memory care organization, or a gift card to benefit the staff and friends he made at Dimensions Living.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com