Kenneth Pritchard

Kenneth Warren Pritchard, age 58 of Madison, passed away at his home on Sunday, June 7, 2015.

Ken was born on August 26, 1956 in Beaver Dam, WI, a son of Kenneth and Theresa (Vander Meulen) Pritchard.

Ken grew up on the family farm in rural Randolph Wisconsin. He attended Cambria-Friesland school and UW-La Crosse. The highlight of his high school career was attending Badger Boys State. While a student at La Crosse, he was a charter member of Vanguards, worked on the student newspaper, was elected to the student senate, and served on various committees. He also participated in the marching, symphonic, and jazz bands. Ken continued his education through various venues through-out his life, always keeping up with technology.

He was currently managing the family farm – Pentrebach LLC and Tide Haaven Partnership. He was a sales representative for the financial services firm, Primerica. While living in Madison his favorite jobs were working as a clerk for the Census Bureau, working the election polls, and participating in a special session of the state legislature.

He was the communications specialist for a Native hospital in Nome, Alaska.

During his career, he was an editor and reporter for the following newspapers: Winona (MN) Daily News, La Crosse Tribune, Baraboo News Republic, Dubuque (IA) Telegraph Harold, Victoria (TX) Advocate, Portage (WI) Daily Register, Rock Island (IL) Argus, Beaver Dam (WI) Daily Citizen, Grant County (WI) Harold Independent, New Berlin (WI) Citizen, and Wauwatosa News-Times.

Ken was an honorary graduate of the University of Houston Texas, for news coverage of higher education in South Texas. He received an award of achievement from the Wisconsin DNR for environmental coverage. He also earned state and national honor for investigative reporting and features-spot news-design and photos. He broke an AP story while working for the Daily Register. He served on the following committees: People with Disabilities and Community Development Block Grant, City of Madison.

Ken was a community relations volunteer at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. He was an avid member of the Jaycee’s while living in Houston, MN. He volunteered for WORT FM community radio in Madison and was a consultant, supporter and former resident of the Madison Oxford Houses. Ken helped with their expansion in Madison. He was a charter manager of the oversight board – Friends of Recover Proactive.

Ken had a big heart and will be missed by his many nieces and nephews. He will be remembered for his story telling both as a reporter and friend. He loved his antiques, his brick ginger-bread house, a good fish fry, Texas chili, the Brewers and he enjoyed a good Mallard’s game.

We will miss you dear uncle and brother. As we grieve, we have our memories and know that you are now at peace. May God Bless You!

Ken is survived by a sister, Patricia (Michael) Jung of Cambria and their children, Galadriel (Scott) Host and their child Gunner of Naples, FL, Michelle (Matt) Hoelter and their children, Bronson and Evanelle Grace of Columbus, WI, Benjamin (Hannah) Jung and their children, Michael and Emma Audrey and baby Jack William and step son Joe Schally of Hudson, WI, Amber Bjork and her fiancé Julian Zuniga and her children, Bo and Blake of River Falls, WI; a brother, Thomas (Vilma) Pritchard and their children Sirena and Aaron of Waupun; a brother, Timothy Pritchard and Amy Weber and their children, Mackenzie, Zackariah and Gabriel of Dublin, OH; a special friend, Georgia Nimtz of Beaver Dam; a special uncle, Dr. William “Bill” Pritchard of Davis, CA; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, William Roy Pritchard; paternal grandmother, Lillian (Roberts) Pritchard; maternal grandfather, Peter Vander Meulen; maternal grandmother, Jeanette (Fennema) Vander Meulen; his parents and a brother, Dennis Pritchard.

A celebration of Ken’s life will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at Randolph Community Funeral Home, 208 South High Street, Randolph, with Rev. Richard Weber officiating.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ken’s name can be directed to Oxford House Inc, 1010 Wayne Avenue #400 Silver Spring, MD 20910. If making a donation please indicate that it is in memory for Ken Pritchard to the Madison Oxford House.