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Kenneth "Kenny" L. Zabel

07/17/1931 - 08/13/2011
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Kenneth "Kenny" L. Zabel
Omro, Wisconsin

Kenneth "Kenny" L. Zabel, age 80, of Omro, died August 13, 2011, at the Omro Care Center, after an 8 month battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was born July 17, 1931, in the Town of Lind, Waupaca County, to the late Vernon and Cora (Bartel) Zabel, the oldest of six children. Kenny was baptized and confirmed at Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church, Town of Lind. He attended the Hatton School where he walked 2 miles to school every day. Kenny served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. In May of 1955, he married Nancy Diener and they spent 40 years together before she died of cancer on September 28, 1995. Kenny was a farmer for most of his life in the Town of Lind until retiring in 1993. He also worked construction for a few years, and for over 25 years Kenny delivered the Buyer's Guide. For many years he was a volunteer fireman for the Town of Lind. Kenny was a member of the Emmaus Ev. Lutheran Church, Town of Lind, where he was an active member and served on various committees. Kenny loved being around people, playing sheepshead and cribbage, was a big Brewer and Packer fan, and enjoyed going on bus trips to the casino. For the last 12 years, Kenny has resided in Omro.
Kenny was a kind, caring, and compassionate man and is survived by his life partner and soul mate, Loretta; three children, Lyle (Angie) Zabel, of Winneconne; Kevin (Tammie) Zabel, of Fond du Lac; Julie (Dave) Kent, of Oshkosh; daughter-in-law, Jean Zabel, of Weyauwega; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Wilbur (Barbara) Zabel, of Appleton; three sisters, Janice (Lee) Miller, of Appleton; Phyllis (Gary) Schroeder, of Greenville; Carol (Billy) Schoenick, of Tustin; nieces and nephews; Steve and Tammy Gilles and family; and special friends, Dennis and Millie Behm.
Along with his parents and his wife Nancy, Kenny was also preceded in death by one son, Jeffrey Zabel; and one brother, Wayne Zabel.
A Funeral Service for Kenny will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Emmaus Ev. Lutheran Church, N180 Cty Rd A, Waupaca, with Pastor Horst Jordan officiating. Burial will follow in the Lind Center Cemetery. A Visitation for family and friends will be on Tuesday, August 16 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home, Winneconne, and will continue on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Kenny's family wishes to thank Dr. Klinkhammer, and the staffs of Mercy Medical Center, Omro Care Center, and Affinity Hospice for all of the care and concern given to him.

Mueller Funeral Home
904 E. Main St.
Winneconne, WI 54986
(920) 582-4242
Please submit online condolences to
www.muellerfuneralhomeinc.com

Mike & Peggy Strey wrote on August 16, 2011
We are sorry to hear of Kenny's passing. We enjoyed him very much. He was a great guy and he will truly be missed. Our deepest sympathy to those he leaves behind. Our prayers are with you.

Becky Dishmon wrote on August 16, 2011
Lyle, I know the passing of your dad is one of the hardest things for you to have to go through and I just want you to know that I'm thinking of you and I love you! You've got the best person to help you through this at your side, my mom. Take care of one another and I hope to see you all soon. Wish I could be there for you, but know that I am in the non-physical sense.

Anna & Paul Tolvstad wrote on August 15, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers to the Zabel family.

Darlene Ryan wrote on August 14, 2011
Thinking of all of you with hearfelt sumpathy. May God's healing touch bring you peace and may time and grief pass swiftly, but may the good memories last forever.