Zabel, Kenneth L.

Kenneth “Kenny” L. Zabel, age 80, of Omro, died August 13, 2011, at the Omro Care Center, after an 8 month battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He was born July 17, 1931, in the Town of Lind, Waupaca County, to the late Vernon and Cora (Bartel) Zabel, the oldest of six children. Kenny was baptized and confirmed at Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church, Town of Lind. He attended the Hatton School where he walked 2 miles to school every day. Kenny served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. In May of 1955, he married Nancy Diener and they spent 40 years together before she died of cancer on September 28, 1995. Kenny was a farmer for most of his life in the Town of Lind until retiring in 1993. He also worked construction for a few years, and for over 25 years Kenny delivered the Buyer’s Guide. For many years he was a volunteer fireman for the Town of Lind. Kenny was a member of the Emmaus Ev. Lutheran Church, Town of Lind, where he was an active member and served on various committees. Kenny loved being around people, playing sheepshead and cribbage, was a big Brewer and Packer fan, and enjoyed going on bus trips to the casino. For the last 12 years, Kenny has resided in Omro. Kenny was a kind, caring, and compassionate man and is survived by his life partner and soul mate, Loretta; three children, Lyle (Angie) Zabel, of Winneconne; Kevin (Tammie) Zabel, of Fond du Lac; Julie (Dave) Kent, of Oshkosh; daughter-in-law, Jean Zabel, of Weyauwega; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Wilbur (Barbara) Zabel, of Appleton; three sisters, Janice (Lee) Miller, of Appleton; Phyllis (Gary) Schroeder, of Greenville; Carol (Billy) Schoenick, of Tustin; nieces and nephews; Steve and Tammy Gilles and family; and special friends, Dennis and Millie Behm. Along with his parents and his wife Nancy, Kenny was also preceded in death by one son, Jeffrey Zabel; and one brother, Wayne Zabel. A Funeral Service for Kenny was held on Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Emmaus Ev. Lutheran Church, N180 Cty Rd A, Waupaca, with Pastor Horst Jordan officiating. Burial followed in the Lind Center Cemetery. A Visitation for family and friends was on Tuesday, August 16 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home, Winneconne, and continued on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.