Kenneth Funke

Kenneth Funke, age 68, of Decorah, IA, died on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Thursday and on Friday morning until 10:00 a.m., at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah. There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m. Kenneth Joseph Funke was born on August 13, 1943, the son of Hugo and Ethel (Drilling) Funke in Cresco, IA. Kenny attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1962. He served in the US Army from 1962-65 and was stationed in Korea. On November 12, 1966, he married Ruth Setter at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. Kenny worked at Svenson Construction, Lang’s Dairy, and Deco Products, until he retired in 2008. Kenny enjoyed woodworking, fishing with his grandchildren, going to flea markets with his wife and reading. Kenny was a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Council #4208, where he was a third degree member and the Waukon American Legion Post #62 for thirty-three years. Kenny is survived by his wife of forty-four years: Ruth Funke, Decorah, IA. Three daughters: Kim (Howard) Hubers, Brandon, SD; Renee (Bryan) Brinkley, Lake City, FL; and Tracy (Chad) Halverson, Decorah, IA. Five grandchildren: Derek Hubers, Christopher Williams, Lonnie Brinkley, Logan & Abby Halverson. His mother: Ethel Funke, Cresco, IA. One brother: Neil (Michelle) Funke, Cresco, IA. Five sisters: Joyce (Jim) Miller, Rochester, MN; Janet Funke, San Diego, CA; Joan (Ivan) Permann, American Falls, ID; Betty Funke, Aurora, CO; and Norma (Bruce) Paulsen, Glenville, MN. His mother-in-law: Marie Setter, Ft. Atkinson, IA. Four sisters-in-law: Margaret (Arnold) Lundtvedt, Caledonia, MN; Agnes (Anthony) Kruse, Ft. Atkinson, IA; Verna (Harold) Lee, Decorah, IA; and Ella Smith, Cape Coral, FL, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Kenny was preceded in death by his father: Hugo Funke in 1966. His grandparents: Henry & Johanna Funke and Matt & Catherine Drilling. His father-in-law: Gerhard Setter in 2001; and two brothers-in-law: Jerry Magnuson in 1988 and Wes Smith in 2007.