Kenneth Alvin Mahnke, 81 of Whitehall passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Trempealeau County Healthcare Center.
Ken was born on September 30, 1939 to Lorrenz and Josephine Mahnke in Waterloo, Iowa. He married Sheryl (Redix) Mahnke on October 2, 1960. Ken worked at John Deere in Iowa for many years. He also worked as a mechanic at Weigand’s Ford Garage in Chippewa Falls and drove semi-truck and worked at Cooley’s Statewide Scrap and Salvage. His love for cars, trains, and motorcycles was his life. He was always surrounded by model cars and trains, magazines, mechanic books and could not go a day without talking about it. Ken was a helpful and cheerful man who was always willing to lend a hand. He was the happiest when surrounded by his entire family at holidays and family gatherings.
Ken is survived by his wife, Sheryl Mahnke; seven children; Angela (Dale) Barcky, Lorrie (Tony) Smith, Darrin (Jessalynn) Mahnke, Randy (Terri) Mahnke, Tonette (Tabor) Brandt, Corey Mahnke, and Katrina Mahnke, twenty-seven gradchildren, and several great grandchildren. He is also survived by his younger siblings, Beverly, Ronny, and Steve and many cousins, nieces and nephews.