Kenneth C. Dietzler, age 73, passed on to his eternal rest Friday, March 23, 2018, after a short battle with cancer, at the Atrium Post Acute Care of Little Chute. He was born Aug. 1, 1944, in Rhinelander to Alexander and Virginia (Haenel) Dietzler.

Ken was an Army veteran and served at three different forts stateside before being sent to Germany on a crew that built bridges.

He married his sweetheart, Bonnie L. Halverson, June 8, 1966. Before divorcing in 1974, they had two children together. Ken moved to Waterford to be close to his job as a machinist at Hi Lighter Graphics in Burlington for 17 years until back problems forced him to leave. He moved around until he found Princeton, where he lived by himself until his health prevented him from doing so. Ken enjoyed fishing, was a good machinist, loved taking care of his yard and feeding the stray cats that occupied the unused barn on the property (even though if you’d ask him, he would say he didn’t like them at all). He was quick to help out a neighbor and didn’t mind a trip here and there to a casino for a bit of fun. Ken loved a good meal at the Buckhorn and watching the Packers or Brewers win was all he needed for a good day.

Ken is survived by his ex-wife, Bonnie Dietzler; children, Matthew (Dina) Dietzler and Sarah (Brian) Aronson; granddaughter, Jessica (Martin) Freibergs; and two great-grandchildren. He is further survived by brothers, Mike and Dan; sisters, Sue Krook , Marlene (Bill) Heath, Cindy (Vern) Lowther, Dory Lee and Kathy (Dave) Matthews; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ken was preceded in death by both parents; his sister, Joyce Kolb; sister-in-law, Karen Dietzler; brother-in-law, Howard Krook; daughter-in-law, Josie (Torres) Dietzler; and special friend, Gerri Corren.

He will be laid to rest at a later date in Rhinelander. At a date to be determined, a memorial will be held at the Buckhorn Bar and Grill in Princeton for friends and neighbors to share stories.

Ken’s family would like to thank all the staff at the Atrium Post Acute Care of Little Chute, the Madison VA and University Hospital and the Heartland Hospice for their kind, compassionate and very supportive care. (O’Connell Funeral Home)