Kenneth "Ken" James Repinski, age 57, of Gresham, passed away unexpectedly on June 13, 2017. Ken was born in Stevens Point, WI on February 1, 1960 to James Repinski and Marjorie Repinski. He lived in the Plover area until high school when his family moved to Eau Claire, WI. Ken graduated from Memorial High School in June of 1978. Ken was married to Sheree Gartzke on June 30, 1984 in Shawano, WI at United Methodist Church. They were married for twenty-three years and have remained friends.
Our Dad:
While our dad was growing up he enjoyed summers camping with his three brothers, one sister and his mom and dad. During his childhood he loved going swimming, playing basketball, and spending countless hours at the County Parks. In high school our dad was a talented trumpet player. He could play any Maynard Ferguson song by ear without even reading the sheet music. On one particular pep rally our dad played the theme song from "Rocky" with the entire high school in amazement. Our dad still played his silver trumpet every now and then. After graduating high school our dad became a Restaurant Manager for Bridgemans. He worked for the restaurant for many years in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He even told us that Prince came into the Minnesota establishment and the waitresses would fight over who could wait on him. After Bridgemans our dad decided to get into the trucking industry. He became employed as an over the road semi-truck driver traveling across the United States. Within the past year our dad became an owner-operator with V&S Midwest Carriers of Kaukauna, WI. Our dad often told us he really found his trucking home with V&S. He loved traveling the open road and was an exceptional operator without having an accident in his 26-year career. While on the open road our dad had his travel buddy, his dog Jake alongside him. Jake was more than just a dog to my dad and us, he was a part of our family, too.
Our dad loved taking us boating on hot summer weekends on Shawano Lake. He liked to water ski, wakeboard, and kneeboard. Our most favorite memories were made on Shawano Lake with our dad weather it was tubing behind the Sea Ray or spending time at the sandbar. He also loved to fish off the boat and on the ice even if his line became tangled here and there. Our dad enjoyed going camping as a family to Lake Wissota every year. Our dad had a passion for motorcycles and loved to ride his two-tone dark red Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited Cycle. He was always ordering new chrome and customizing his cycle to his standards. He even had a custom-built carrier for his trailer so Jake could ride along. While on the open road our dad loved listening to his favorite bands which included ACDC, Boston, Chicago, Foreigner, Kansas, Metallica, and REO Speedwagon. When he was home he enjoyed going to live concerts especially Big Mouth and The Power Tool Horns. Our dad enjoyed playing pool against his brothers till the wee hours of the morning and enjoyed spending weekends with them when he could. He also was a talented chef and master of the grill. His favorites were BBQ chicken over his charcoal grill and ribeye steaks grilled to a perfect medium-rare.
Our dad could walk into a room and talk to anyone with the ability to make you feel like you were his number one priority. He could talk for hours on end with anyone but at the same time he was the best listener as well. He was a real people person and could find the good in anyone. One of his favorite past times was to read too. He had a zest for reading the newest biographies and untold stories. While we were growing up our dad could fix anything that went "wrong" around the house. He was a real do-it yourself guy and could fix anything from the water-heater to brakes on the car. Our dad was truly the best dad imaginable and we have been blessed to be his children. He was always a helping hand, listening ear, and guiding light.
Ken is survived by his children: Katie (Adam) Carroll of Gresham and Kyle Repinski of Shawano. He is further survived by his parents: James (Rosanne) Repinski of Granton, WI and Marjorie Repinski of Eau Claire, WI. Sister: Diane Pichler of Eau Claire, WI, Brothers: Al Repinski of Rock Falls, WI, Dale Repinski of Eau Claire, WI, and Tom (Julie) Repinski of Brooklyn Center, MN. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, and dear friends.
Ken was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harold and Doreen Soik and Clarence and Evelyn Repinski.
We love you dad, we're going to miss you. We hope Jake keeps you company on your ride to heaven. Love you always, Katie & Kyle
Memorial services for Ken will be held at 6:30 pm on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Swedberg Funeral Home at 518 W. 5th Street in Shawano with Rev. Travis Kleinschmidt officiating. Inurnment will be in the St. Jakobi Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 3:00 pm until the time of the services.
