Ken Buchanan

Kenneth Stephen Buchanan was born to George and Helen Kral Buchanan on January 15, 1926. He passed away on June 20, 2013, in New Berlin, Wisconsin, in the arms of Maxine, his wife of 67 years.
Ken was born in Denison, Iowa. He received his education in the Coon Grove Community Schools through the 8th grade and attended high school in Denison graduating with the class of 1944. Ken was united in marriage to Maxine Neppl on September 25, 1945, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison, Iowa, and to this union was born seven children.
Ken primarily worked in the meat business starting at the Farlow Locker Plant in Denison, Iowa, then as owner of the Defiance Locker Plant and an employee at I.B.P. He moved to California in 1963 where he owned and operated a successful business, Buchanan & Son’s Meat Market. Ken also served his community as a member of the Lions Club and Knights of Columbus.
Ken built three homes for his family during his lifetime, including a beautiful Victorian home in Denison, and renovated many other homes around town. He moved back to Denison to retire, but actually began his second career as a homebuilder and landlord, following his love of restoring old homes.
Three years ago Ken and Maxine moved to Milwaukee to be near his son, Tim. He did not let his Parkinson’s or heart disease keep him from befriending all the residents in their retirement community. Ken shared his love of tractors, woodworking, old cars, and baseball with his friends there. He had made his children and grandchildren chairs, cradles and rocking horses and was building a rocking horse for a great-grandchild the day he entered the hospital. He was a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather. His family thought the world of him.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Charles, James, and Donnie; and two sisters: Cecelia Ahrenholtz and Ruth Cothier. He is survived by his wife, Maxine of New Berlin, Wisconsin; six sons: Ken, Jr. and wife, Jolene of Irvine, California; Larry and wife, Kate of Santa Rosa, California; Michael and wife, Lisa of Woodinville, Washington; James and wife, Diane of Escondido, California; Tim and wife, Andrea of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Terry of Costa Mesa, California; and his only and favorite daughter, Mary Kaye McNamee and husband, Joe of Aliso Viejo, California; twenty-one grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and three brothers: George Buchanan and wife, Harlene of Gaithersberg, Maryland; Leonard Buchanan and wife, Donna of San Diego, California; and Russell Buchanan and wife, Joan of Melbourne, Florida; other relatives and friends.