Kenneth “Ken” Norman Kehrer

Kenneth “Ken” Norman Kehrer, 72, died August 30, 2021, in the home in Temperance, MI he shared with his fiancé, Nan York. Family and friends may call at the Capaul Funeral Home, Ida, MI, Tuesday, September 7, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. until the services at 7:00 p.m.. Fr. Don Geyman of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Traverse City, MI, will officiate. The burial of cremains will take place at a later date.

Born October 23, 1948, in Monroe, MI, Ken was the son of Norman and Bernice (Heck) Kehrer. He was a 1966 Dundee High School Graduate where he played baseball, football, and basketball. He later attended Monroe County Community College where he played basketball, baseball and ran track. Ken proudly served in the US Army from 1968 to 1970, with one year in Vietnam, earning the rank of E5. He was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, two Overseas Bars, Good Conduct Medal, Expert Badge Rifle M14, Marksman Badge Rifle M16, and the Bronze Star. Ken was previously married to Hilde (Laubenstein) Kehrer of Monroe, MI from 1971 to 1989.

Ken drove a truck for over 55 years, driving more than 3 million miles over the course of his career, and worked most fondly for M.C. Eipperle, Inc. He was a volunteer fireman for Ida, MI from 1978 to 1983. He was also a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Ida, MI.

Ken re-met his true love and fiancé, Nan York, at their 40-year high school reunion in 2006. They shared many adventures together until his passing, most recently on a memorable trip to southern Ohio and northern Kentucky.

Ken was a retired member of the Teamsters and was a member of the American Legion Lynn C. Weeman Post 514, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the National Rifle Association. He loved watching sports, especially NASCAR, and the Detroit Red Wings, Tigers, and Lions. He also avidly followed national politics and local news. Ken loved working on perfecting his lawn and flower beds and even had a hand in helping to build Green Meadows Golf Course in Monroe, MI.

Survivors include his fiancé’, Nan York; his daughters, Jennifer (Al) Neikirk, Julie (Terry Richard) Kehrer, and Stacy Braden; mother, Bernice Rath; siblings, Kevin (Brenda) Rath, Karl (Donna) Rath, Kathy (Ron) Iott, Kay (David) Ringel; and eight grandchildren: Kali, Austin, Jakob, Lukas, Adysyn, Sydnee, Justin, and Coralyn. He was preceded in death by his father, Norman Kehrer; step-father, Ted Rath; and siblings, Kris Rath and Karen (Frank) Orick.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project