Kenneth "Ken" C. Nowitzke

Kenneth “Ken” C. Nowitzke, 75, Marathon passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 while under the care of Compassus Hospice and the tender care of Dar at his home.

He was born November 23, 1949 in Wausau, son of the late Anthony and Dorothy (Windorski) Nowitzke.  On November 18, 1972 he married Darlene Schreier at Holy Name Catholic Church, Wausau.  They later divorced but remained very close friends.  Dar always referred to Ken as her “Sunshine”.

Ken was a computer programmer in the Wausau area for many years.  Some of his favorite pastimes included gaming on his computer, fishing, spending time with his family and friends, watching Sci-Fi shows, enjoying the many aquariums and fish he had over the years and also listening to his favorite musician, Jimmy Hendrix.

He loved watching the birds outside his window and he was blessed to be able to be cared for by Dar the last couple of months.  He was in the best care he could be in when the Lord welcomed him home.

Ken proudly served his county in the United States Army.

Survivors include his former wife and caregiver, Darlene Nowitzke, Marathon, his siblings, Kathy Bandock, Wausau, Tom (Michelle) Nowitzke, Waukesha and Jeff (Cindy) Nowitzke, Bloomington, MN, his brother-in-law, Gary Dornbrack, Byron, MN, his nephews, Erik, Brad, Brian, Joel, Paul and Lee, his great nephews, Nathan and Aiden, his nieces, Patti, Josie, Nicole and his great nieces, twins, Tessa and Skye and MacKenzie, Alyssa and Kelsey.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Susan Dornbrack.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 20, 2024 at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon.  The Rev. Msgr. Jospeh Diermeier will officiate.  Visitation will be held on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services all at the Marathon funeral home.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Wounded Warriors, Alzheimer’s Association, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Marshfield Children’s Network and Boys Town of Omaha.