KENNETH NIELAND

Kenneth John Nieland, age 81, passed away on Monday, October 1, 2018.  He was born in Appleton on May 21, 1937 to the late John and Adeline (Haefs) Nieland.  Upon graduation from Appleton West High School in 1955, he began working at Central Paper Company until December of 1963.  Ken went on to work at George Banta Company in Menasha until his retirement.  He married Diane Inez Steinfest who preceded him in death.  He later married Judy Macfarlane in September of 1962, and they enjoyed 56 years together.    

Ken worked as an usher for many years at St. Paul Lutheran Churches in Appleton and Neenah.  He was a member of the Paper Valley Model R.R. Club and enjoyed growing roses, going to his cottage up north, fishing, feeding and watching birds.  He was truly at home at his cottage.  Ken was a family man at heart and loved his children and grandchildren.  He was fond of saying, “If you can't have fun, you might as well turn over and be dead.”

Ken is survived by his wife, Judy Nieland of Menasha; children: Jeff (Rose) Nieland of Menasha, Mark Nieland of Menasha, and Karen (Marty) Gavinski of Menasha; grandchildren: Heather (Eric) Towne, Courtney Nieland, Cody Nieland, Kaela Nieland, Ashley Gavinski, and Josh Gavinski; great-grandson Tosh Nieland; and god-daughters Leigh Ann Linsmeyer and Marilyn Miller-Webber.

The Funeral Service for Ken will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Westgor Funeral Home, 1140 Appleton Road, Menasha with Rev. Paul Holte officiating.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of the service.  Ken will be laid to rest at Highland Memorial Park, Appleton.

Ken's family would like to give a special thank you to “his girls,” Lorriane and Jeanne from ThedaCare Hospice, as well as the staff at Cherry Meadows for all of their wonderful care.