Jan. 7, 1918 – July 28, 2010
 

Kenneth C. Steele was born Jan. 7, 1918, in Pewaukee, to Charles F. and Dora (Stein) Steele. He passed away Wednesday, July 28, 2010.

Ken was a graduate of Pewaukee High School and Carroll College. He married Doris Thompson in October 1941. She passed away several days after they celebrated their 46th anniversary in 1987. He was fortunate in finding another loving companion in Bernice Brandenburg, whom he married in May 1990. She passed away in August 2009.

Ken is survived by his children, Kenneth A. and Sue Steele, Kathleen and Dennis Sampson, Margaret Steele and Gregg Nettesheim, Dorothy Steele and Robert Hodgson. He also is survived by his grandchildren, the Rev. Kenneth C. and Stephanie Steele, Jennifer and TJ Conner, Eric and Joyce Sampson, Jessica Sampson and Todd Moore, Laurel Sampson and James Pearson, and Charles Nettesheim; and great grandchildren, Mya, Cole and Evan Steele and Sophia Sampson. He is further survived by many relatives and friends.

Ken was a kind and generous man, devoted to his faith, family and friends. Throughout his lifetime, he demonstrated a deep fascination and understanding of the natural and mechanical worlds.

He was inventive, able to repeatedly repair or jerryrig farm equipment and, as a physics teacher, create interesting and unique experiments to engage his students.

He loved people and enjoyed hearing their stories. He and Doris hosted a number of foreign exchange students and through them learned about many other cultures.

Ken farmed in Pewaukee nearly all his life. He also taught physics in the Milwaukee Public Schools at Pulaski, Bay View and Hamilton high schools for 20 years.

After retirement from Hamilton High School, he remained interested in all things science-related. He taught physics at Waukesha County Technical College and at LaFarge Institute for Lifelong Learning.

He was the physics consultant for the Science, Economics and Technology Center (now the Discovery World) and he and Doris traveled to other states to visit similar science centers, gathering exhibit ideas for the Milwaukee center.

Ken was an active member of First Baptist Church of Waukesha, where he served in many leadership positions. He was one of the founding members of the Pewaukee Area Historical Society and of the Pewaukee High School Alumni Association.

He was an active member of the Waukesha County Farm Bureau, Friends of Retzer Nature Center and the Milwaukee Physics Club.

He was interested in astronomy and the environment and was recognized by WTMJ-TV for his efforts as weather observer "Ken in Pewaukee."

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at Yonke & Son Funeral Home, 205 Prospect Ave., Pewaukee. Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until the 3 p.m. memorial service Sunday, Aug. 8, at First Baptist Church, 247 Wisconsin Ave., Waukesha. The family wishes to thank the caring staff of Cambridge House, Waukesha Memorial Hospital and Seasons Hospice. Memorial contributions to First Baptist Church of Waukesha or Pewaukee Area Historical Society would be appreciated. Yonke & Son Funeral Home, 691-1900, is serving the family.

We love you – farewell good and faithful servant.