Kenneth (Ken) Anthony Schommer, 92, passed away on March 23, 2023. Ken was born on October 11,

1930, to Lambert and Clara (Hoffman) Schommer in Colby, Wisconsin. He graduated from Marshfield

High School in 1948, in the top 2 percent of his class. Ken was a talented and insightful writer, winning

several essay contests and ultimately earning a Wisconsin State Teachers College scholarship. Hoping to

be a teacher one day, Ken put this dream on hold and accepted an entry-level position at a plywood

company after graduation. Initially a short-term endeavor, this position turned into his life-long career. At

the age of 19, Ken met the love of his life, Audrey Heinzen, on a serendipitous blind date. Ken and

Audrey fell madly in love and were married on August 13, 1951, in Bakerville, Wisconsin. Having enlisted

in the U.S. Marines Corps the year prior, Ken was deployed to Korea just months after their marriage.

While serving as a Sergeant during his deployment, their first son was born. Following his return, Ken and

Audrey raised their five children while he diligently advanced in his career. Over the next 45 years, Ken

worked his way up in various plywood companies, from office boy to upper management, all with a

high-school diploma, attesting to his perseverance, commitment, and strong work ethic. In every

community in which Ken settled, he dedicated time to community service, from cleaning up litter along

highways to providing practical education in public schools. Toward the end of his career, he was able to

realize his dream of being a teacher, touching the lives of over 800 8th-grade students as a volunteer,

helping them to learn about business.

Ken was a devout Catholic who was kind-hearted, thoughtful, patient, and humble, with a clever sense of

humor. He was passionate about education and thoroughly enjoyed reading, writing, and sudoku puzzles.

Having grown up on an 80-acre farm, Ken had a strong appreciation and love for the great outdoors. He

enjoyed walking, gardening, and fishing, as well as visiting National Parks across the country. In addition

to writing, he expressed his creativity through woodworking, painting, and needlework. Ken and his loving

wife, Audrey, shared a wonderful life together for over 71 years. Together they explored 48 states of the

continental U.S. in their "house on wheels'' and played cribbage avidly. He was deeply loved by his family

and friends and will be greatly missed.

Ken is survived by his five children, Kenneth Schommer Jr. (Kathy Vollmer), Lynn Egger (Stephan),

Frances Lewer (Dennis), Timothy Schommer (Lynn), and Teresa O'Neal (Shawn); one brother, Lambert

Schommer (Joan); three sisters, Lorraine Sweet, Judith Meyer, and Bonita Wittman (Linus); sister-in-law,

Shirley Schommer; 15 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-granddaughters. Ken

is preceded in death by his wife, Audrey; his parents, Lambert and Clara Schommer; his brothers, Cecil

Schommer, Father Jerome Schommer, and James Schommer; and his brothers-in-law, Ronald Meyer and

Gordon Sweet.

Visitation will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Mosinee on May 20, 2023, at 10 a.m., with a funeral

mass held at 11 a.m. Interment will occur at the Colby Memorial Cemetery following the mass. In lieu of

flowers, memorial donations may be designated in Ken Schommer's name to St. Paul's Catholic Church.

Ken's family would like to extend gratitude and special thanks to Interim Hospice of Wausau and the

compassionate caregivers at Cedar Ridge Elder Services who helped Ken during his final days.

John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time.  Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com