Kenneth D. Boschke

Kenneth Donald Boschke of South Milwaukee, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on August 29, 2023, at the age of 96.

One of eight sons born to Maximillian and Agatha Boschke, Ken was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on a hot summer day on the Fourth of July in 1927.

Ken proudly served in the U.S. Navy, during WWII and Korean War, aboard the U.S.S. Prairie. During this time, he met the love of his life while on leave in California. Ana Marina “Mona” was visiting from Mexico and staying with her Aunt Connie, who was married to his cousin, Bill. When he came to visit, she answered the door and the spark of love was ignited. Despite the language barrier and through many love letters over the following months, Ken drove to Mexico to ask her father for her hand in marriage. On July 1, 1953, they were married in Jiménez, Chihuahua, Mexico, and moved to Milwaukee to begin the start of our “Big Boschke Family.”

Ken and Mona settled into their lifelong home in South Milwaukee, where they raised five children. Over the years, they enjoyed traveling to spend time with their children, 15 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. He cherished his family deeply. Annual family gatherings on the 4th of July and Christmas were traditions that will continue to be celebrated into the future.

Ken enjoyed spending time outdoors, keeping up with the care and yardwork around the house. He enjoyed: fishing, hunting, woodworking, horseshoes and gardening, listening to music. Johnny Cash was a favorite. He also spent many hours making beautiful clocks, and other items on his scroll saw, which he gifted to many family and friends. You could find him listening to the Brewer’s game on the radio while spending time outside; or in his favorite chair, watching a Packer game. Ken was always willing to lend a hand to one of his neighbors or his children.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife Ana Marina. His memory lives on through the love of their children: Lois (Tom) Aumann, Patricia VonWald, Ken (Jean) Boschke Jr., Marina (Matt) Galewski, and LeeAnn (Gary) Zartner. Grandchildren: Alison (Bo), Jonathan (Sheila), Steven (Heidi), Melissa (Drew), Lauren (Scott), Adam, Ian (Kelly), Tiffany (Sean), Noel, Katie (Daniel), Kyle, Billy, Jillian (Spencer), Alexa (Terry), Haley (Bryant), Sam (Hannah), Abby (Zach), Stephanie, Ben and John; Great-grandchildren: Seth, Jack, Gavin, Lyla, Jonah, Julia, Mia, Bennett, Tanner, Everly, Bryce, Ephram, Liam, Graham, Callam, Halle, Zoey, Leo, Finn, Hayes Kenneth, Henry, Vincent, Nicholas, Nathanael, Lincoln, Elle, Audrey, Colette, Olivia, Harper, Hunter, Reagan, Lacy and Rhett . . . and counting.

Preceded in death by his parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law, He will be greatly missed by his family, many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

The funeral will be held on Friday, September 1, at Divine Mercy Parish, 800 Marquette Avenue, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Entombment at Forest Hill Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff and caregivers at The Grand Hills Castle Senior Living and Castle Hospice, who provided Ken with such loving care and attention.