Kenneth W. Larkin

SERVICE INFO - See Location and date.

Kenneth W. Larkin, age 91, of Chippewa Falls, WI, passed away on Friday, April 26, at the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home at Chippewa Falls, where he has been since December 2023.

Ken was born in LaCrosse, WI, on June 26, 1932, to Lawrence and Maryan (Mathews) Larkin of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. He graduated from high school in Black River Falls with the class of 1950. He and a friend joined the army and after basic training, he went to Germany and his friend went to Japan.

After his retirement to civilian life, he went to work at the Wisconsin Conservation Dept. (now Wisconsin department of Natural Resources) in the Forest Protection Division - Black River Falls. He took the test and training required to become a Forest Ranger and was stationed in Marquette County and later in Adams County. While stationed there he took the test and training to become a Conservation Warden. As a warden he was stationed in Marquette County for a few years, and then came to Chippewa County where he worked for twenty-one years until retiring.

He was a member of the Wisconsin National Guard and when it was called to active duty in 1961, due to the “Berlin Crisis”, deployment was to Fort Levie, Washington, He returned to Wisconsin in August of 1962.

On April 7, 1956, Ken married Alene Gilbertson at the Little Norway Lutheran Church in rural Black River Falls, WI. They enjoyed 68 years together. Ken liked the out of doors. For quite a few years he looked forward to the spring fishing trip to Canada and fall hunting trips with friends. Ken and Alene did some traveling in the southern and western states, Alaska, and Canada over the years, as well as seeing many of the interesting and beautiful places in Wisconsin.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Maryan Larkin; sister, Kathleen Larkin; cousin and brother-in-law, Norman Johnson; sister-in-law, Margie Johnson; and cousins, Lawrence (Joanne) Johnson and Allen Johnson.

He is survived by his wife, Alene; nephews, David N. (Jennifer) Johnson and Allen H. (Lisa) Johnson; great nieces and nephews, Alex, Jared, Isaac, Caleb, Arianna, and Carter; and many extended family and friends.

The visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls with a time of reflection beginning at 6:30.

The Funeral Service will be held a week later at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, at Little Norway Lutheran Church, Black River Falls, WI, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. The graveside service will follow in the church cemetery.

The family wishes to express a thank you to the staff at the Veteran’s Home in Chippewa Falls, Dove West and the Mayo Health System for their care and kindness shown to Ken.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Little Norway Lutheran Church, N4755 Gus Rd, Black River Falls, WI 54615, The Chippewa Falls Community Foundation, or a charity of your choice.