Obituary for Kenneth Jesion in Oshkosh , Wisconsin

On October 15, 2012, the insidious disease called Pulmonary Fibrosis, took Kenneth L. Jesion at Theda Clark Medical Center, with his wife, daughter, friends, family, and beloved golden retriever at his side. Kenneth was born to Edmund and Helen (Sroka) Jesion in Detroit, MI on September 24, 1939. He grew up in the Detroit area and attended Wayne State Community College. He received his tool and die journeymen card after completing his apprenticeship at the Ford Motor Co., where he continued to work for the next ten years. He then went to work for F. Joseph Lamb Co., in Warren, MI as a field service technician. This position took him around the Midwest, including the Oshkosh area where he met his wife Peggy. Ken married Peggy on August 23, 1980, and they celebrated with a wedding party on the Yachts of Fun touring boat in Green Lake. They were blessed with one daughter, Elizabeth who now resides in Madison. Ken and Peg wanted Elizabeth to grow up around family and decided to make Oshkosh their home for the next 25 years. Ken worked as a plant superintendent at Oshkosh Truck, and then went back to his trade as a tool and die maker for Rockwell International, and Mertior, where he retired in 2003. For the past 5 years, he worked as a part time maintenance person at Lakefront Manor in Oshkosh; a job he truly enjoyed. Ken and Peg were enthusiastic boaters for their entire marriage. Ken was past Commodore of the Oshkosh Boat Club, a member of the US Power Squadron, and a boating safety instructor. Ken and Peg boated in Indiana, Michigan and left from their own dock on Lake Winnebago for a trip through the locks and into Green Bay back when the Fox River Locks system was fully operational in the 1980s. They have enjoyed dozens of cruises through the Caribbean and they loved the smaller intimate ships with a Crow’s Nest so they could watch the sunset on the ocean and “have one”. Ken was also a giving and proud citizen of our country. While he could not join the U.S. Coast Guard when he applied as a young man, he supported our troops and was very vocal on political issues. He loved election days where he worked the polls at St. Andrews in Oshkosh. His other happy times included singing with the Y Knots, the Oshkosh Choraliers, volunteering to do taxes at the Senior Center during tax season, as a transport volunteer at Mercy Medical Center, and for many, many years playing Santa for family and friends. He had just started to explore woodworking, and was able to complete two lovely tables for his daughter Elizabeth. When told of his incurable disease back in September 2010, he told Peggy that he had no bucket list. He just wanted to live the life he always loved. He didn’t save anything for the end as he had done so much throughout his life. Peggy and Elizabeth invite you to join them in a celebration of Ken’s life on Saturday, October 20, 2012, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at an open house at their residence in Oshkosh. Ken asked that his favorite beverages be served and that memories be shared. According to Ken’s wishes, he made several valuable gifts as an organ donor and was cremated. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all the staff at Theda Clark. He received first class caring care from all of the nurses and respiratory therapists in ICU and on the 5th floor. The pulmonary team worked hard to try and give Ken a little more time, especially Dr. Robert Nonn, who guided us through the last 15 days and was there with us at the end. He is truly one of the stars in his field and we thank him so much.

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