Kenneth "Ken" Lawinger

Kenneth J. “Ken” Lawinger, age 84 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at the Assumption Nursing Home in Cold Spring, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 24 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. David Flanagan officiating, Rev. Greg Paffel and Rev. Tim Wenzel concelebrating with Deacon Larry Lawinger assisting. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church. Parish prayers will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Kenneth John Lawinger was born June 25, 1937 in Mineral Point, Wisconsin to William and Mary (Kieffer) Lawinger. He was the youngest of eight children, three boys and five girls. Ken met the love of his life, Mary Wilcox, in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. The couple was united in marriage on February 3, 1958 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mineral Point, Wisconsin and together had nine children.

Ken was employed by Wisconsin Feeder Pig and later purchased his own livestock company, Northern States Feeder Pig. He was involved in his community where he served on the city council. Ken was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre where he served as a board member, served on the church council and board of directors, and was a Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and also served on the board at Holy Family School. Ken loved to play cards, fishing and enjoyed visiting with family and friends.

Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Mary Lawinger of Sauk Centre; children, Larry (JoAnn) Lawinger of Maple Grove, Tim (Patty) Lawinger of Sauk Centre, Jim (Ainslie) Lawinger of Ambia, Indiana, Debi (Chuck) Reynolds of Sauk Centre, Andy (Karla) Lawinger of Oakdale, Geri (Tom) Swanson of St. Cloud, Alan (Cheryl) Lawinger of Sauk Centre, Chris (Lisa) Lawinger of Sauk Centre, and Jean (Todd) Marthaler of Sauk Centre; 26 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren; sister, Joan Grimm of Mineral Point, Wisconsin; and sister-in-law, Helen Regan of Mineral Point.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Helen Flanagan, Eleanor Joestgen, Alice Hartung, Bill Lawinger, Agnes Knudson, and Bob Lawinger.

Serving as casket bearers will be Tim Lawinger, Jim Lawinger, Andy Lawinger, Alan Lawinger, Chris Lawinger, and Ken Reynolds. Cross bearer will be Jean Marthaler, scripture bearer will be Geri Swanson, and rosary bearer will be Debi Reynolds.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Holy Family School.