Kenneth M. "Ken" Detert

MADISON, Wis.-Kenneth “Ken” Martin Detert, age 67 of Madison, Wis., passed away Friday morning, March 1, 2019, at his home. Ken was born in Fairmont, Minn., on Nov. 4, 1951, to Martin and Vera (Maschoff) Detert. He grew up on the family farm in rural Ceylon, Minn., and attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and school in nearby Wilbert. Ken graduated from Ceylon High School in 1969 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Engineering degree at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minn. After college, Ken began his career as a mechanical engineer, working for Berkeley, Oral-B Labs, and Kraft Foods-Oscar Mayer. Over the course of his engineering career, Ken was awarded multiple patents for machine design. In 1993, he was awarded the Superior Achievement Award for his work on the team that developed Oscar Mayer Lunchables. In addition to his work as an engineer, Ken managed and cared for the family farm in Minnesota for many years. Ken was a lifelong Lutheran and a man who fervently loved the Lord. Throughout his life, he served the church in many capacities, including Sunday School teacher, youth leader, council member, and even constructed the scenery for the children’s Christmas program. Most recently, he served as an elder at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie, Wis. Ken married Brenda Urbain on Aug. 19, 1972, at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville, Minn, and shared 46 years of marriage. Ken was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. For his wife, every day was like they were still on their honeymoon. He played basketball in the driveway with his daughters and was always “Daddy Detert.” He offered guidance, counsel, and encouragement and supported his family in so many ways. To his grandchildren, he was “Opa” with whom to play games like “zombies” and “bees”and build LEGO creations. Friends, extended family, neighbors, and his church community were also important parts of Ken’s life. Ken had many talents and interests. He was the baker of the family—making cookies, banana bread, and pies. He spent time building and fixing various things. He loved farming and delighted in spending time outdoors in the natural world, with a special fondness for the Colorado mountains. Ken enjoyed watching football and reading books about World War II. He looked forward to driving “hardtop” with Brenda in their 1972 Pontiac LeMans and had begun the process to restore it. Ken will be greatly missed by family and all who knew him. He is survived by his wife Brenda; and two adult children, Kristine (Brandon) Casto and Kimberlee (Corey) Benton, both of Eau Claire, Wis.; four grandchildren, Evan and Cecily Casto, and Wesley and Aubree Benton; sisters, Karla (Willis) Duncan and Kathy (Eric) Nelson, both of the Denver, Colo. area, and their families; father and mother-in-law, Harley and Ethel Urbain; and sister-in-law, Starla (Dennis) Lutterman and their family, all of the Omaha, Neb. Area. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Piper Benton; and many other uncles, aunts, and extended family members. The family’s preferred florist is Blooms in Verona, Wis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lutheran Hour Ministries (lhm.org). A Celebration of Life will take place at BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH, 300 Broadway Dr, Sun Prairie, Wis., at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 8, 2019, with Pastor Charlie Brandt officiating. A luncheon will follow. A memorial visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 until the time of the service on Friday. A private family burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire, Wis., at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive 608-221-5420