Kenneth "Ken" Heller, 94, rural Cecil, passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at Shawano.

Ken was born on September 28, 1915, to the late August and Caroline (Winter) Heller Sr. in the town of Washington.

On December 25, 1938, he married Marcella Kohn at Immanuel Lutheran Church White Clay Lake, Cecil. She preceded him in death on March 14, 1983.

He was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church White Clay Lake and he attended the one-room school. He was very active in the church, holding various offices throughout the years.

Ken and Marcella farmed the family farm until retiring. He devoted his life to the family farm. Kenneth worked hard to develop his well-known herd of Brown Swiss Cattle.

He was a member of the Local, State and National Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association and a long time supporter of the 4-H activities. He was named a Shawano County Living Treasure by the Adult and Disabled Resource Center of Shawano County Office on Aging. From 1934 to 1952, Ken played first base for the Cecil Mudhens Baseball Team. Being one of the top players of the team he was invited to attend a baseball camp which was held in Arkansas at that time.

He is survived by his children, Barbara (Donald) Radloff, Cecil; Sue Busch, Bonduel; Noreen (Neil) Christianson, Shiocton; a daughter-in-law, Ginger Heller, Cecil; a son-in-law, Ronald (Vicki) Gauerke, Topeka, Kansas; 14 grandchildren, Beth (Craig) Kotowski; Dawn Larsen; Steven (Michelle) Gauerke; Amy (Tim) Engel; Cindy (Jerry) Konitzer; Ricky Radloff; Kenton Heller; Heidi Heller; Rebecca (Ricky) Deneys; Sarah Busch; Matthew Busch (fiance, Jenny); Daniel Busch; Jennifer Christianson and Blair Christianson; 8 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Lillian Heller, Cecil; Marye Heller, Shawano; a brother-in-law, Harold Simon, Bonduel.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marcella; a daughter, Nancy Gauerke; a son, Jack Heller; two brothers, August Heller Jr. and Paul Heller.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church White Clay Lake, Cecil, with the Rev. John Laatsch officiating. Family and friends may call on Friday from 4 until 8 p.m. at Zastrow Funeral Home in Cecil and Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the services. Interment will be held at Immanuel Church Cemetery White Clay Lake. Zastrow Funeral Home is assisting the family.

A memorial fund will be established in his name.