Kenneth Joseph Wishau

Kenneth Joseph Wishau, 90, peacefully passed on to be with Jesus Christ on Friday, July 8, 2022, with his family at his side.

Kenny was born March 11, 1932, on Wind Point in Racine, Wisconsin to Otilia (Repa) and Leland Wishau. He grew up on the family farm on Lake Michigan, where his love of boating, waterskiing, and fishing started.

Ken married the love of his life, Marcia Marlene Blum, on June 21, 1958, in Racine, Wisconsin. Prior to marriage, Marcia was recruited to help pick strawberries and asparagus at the Wishau family farm on Lighthouse Drive.

Ken was preceded in death by his mother Otilia, father, Leland, his four brothers Leslie, Floyd, Russell, and Gerald Wishau, his sisters-in-law Phyllis (Hansen) and Nancy (Hotz) Lussier, his brothers-in-law Robert Betchkal and David Binford, and his son, Kent.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Marcia (Blum) Wishau, daughter Gail (Wishau) Barth and husband, Thomas Terry Barth, daughter Karen (Wishau) Hogan and husband Stephen Hogan, four grandchildren Jason (wife Megan Kemp-Barth), Benjamin, Elijah, and Jeshua Barth, two great-grandchildren Cadence and Connor Kemp-Barth, sisters-in-law Beverly "Toots" (Menke) Wishau, Jean (Hansen) Wishau, Charmaine "Cherie" (Blum) Betchkal, Shirley (Blum) Christopherson, Carol (Blum) Taylor, and Lenore (Blum) Binford, brothers-in-law Robert Christopherson and Nemon Taylor, and many extended family members, close friends and helpful neighbors.

Kenny graduated from Horlick High School in 1949, served in the US Navy for 4 years as an E-6 Electronic Technician, and graduated from University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1960, with a Bachelor's of Science Electrical Engineering degree.

Ken spent five years as an engineer at Martin Aircraft in Littleton, Colorado. In 1960, Ken and Marcia purchased a wooden power boat and enjoyed water skiing on the lakes of Colorado, while raising Kent and Gail. In 1965, he moved his family to Rockville, Maryland for two years and worked as a Senior Engineer at Sprague Electric developing night vision power supplies. Kenny re-located his family to Rochester, New York in 1967 and served as an Engineering Supervisor at Eastman Kodak. Ken's love of photography blossomed in Rochester. He always had his camera in hand, taking family photos or videos. Ken enjoyed showing family videos for hours of entertainment.

Ken and Marcia expanded their family with the addition of Karen. Kent, Gail, and Karen were able to enjoy the same wooden power boat for many years, including family time at the cottage on Sunset Island in Wilson, NY. Ken often took his family camping and encouraged a love of the outdoors. His children were often found outdoors biking, boating, water or snow skiing, fishing, hunting, or playing sports. Kenny was an enthusiastic Green Bay Packers and a Buffalo Bills fan, representing both his birth state and final home state.

Ken cared deeply for his family and friends, and loved keeping in touch with them by phone, email, or Facebook. He cherished every moment and interaction, and relished sharing recent and historic photographs of family and friends on-line.

Visitation hours will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m, followed by "Celebration of Life" Service at 12 p.m on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at the New Comer Funeral Home, 2636 Ridgeway Avenue. Burial will be held directly after the Memorial Service at Riverside Cemetary, next to Kent.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions made to Hope Lutheran Church or one's favorite charity are greatly appreciated.




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