KENNETH S. LOVSTAD
KENNETH S. LOVSTAD
Ken Lovstad, 85, of Chili, WI, entered his eternal life Feb. 16, 2025, at House of the Dove in Marshfield, WI.
Funeral services for Ken will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Christ Lutheran Church, Chili, WI, with visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Pastor Dan Schoessow will officiate with grandchildren serving as pallbearers. A private family interment will take place at a later date at Yolo Cemetery in the township of Fremont.
Ken was born Nov. 25, 1939, in Westby, WI, to Carsten and Doris (Larson) Lovstad. He lived in Westby until the family moved to Christie, WI, when he was younger. Ken attended the Christie Mound School until the family eventually moved to Chili and then he attended school in the Marshfield School District. He married Karen Zillmer Nov. 3, 1962, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Greenwood, and to this union three children were born. Ken was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Chili.
Ken started his truck driving career at the age of 16, hauling gravel for Ronnie Happe. He enlisted with the Army National Guard in January of 1957. While enlisted, Ken hauled howitzers and ammunition for the 132nd Red Arrow Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 13, 1963. Ken continued his truck driving career for 62 years accumulating well over four million miles throughout the United States and Canada. He worked for Dairybelt, Schneider Transport, Roehl Trucking, V & H and I-State.
Ken loved NASCAR racing and was a fan of anyone that drove a Ford. He especially loved and looked forward to their winter trips to Florida for the Daytona 500. He and Karen also enjoyed attending races in Atlanta, Charlotte, Michigan, Talladega, Nashville and the Indy 500. You could find him occasionally at local tracks, including Marshfield, La Crosse for the Oktoberfest races, Golden Sands and Slinger Speedway. One of his most loved tracks was the Milwaukee Mile, where he attended races from the late 1950s until this past summer when he attended the NASCAR Craftsman truck race and Indy car race. Ken was a collector of hats! Every race he went to meant the purchase of at least two hats and probably a jacket too.
In his earlier years, Ken enjoyed racing snowmobiles and the blue and white #21 K&K Racing Team Ford he ran with his brother, Karl. Ken enjoyed his many lunches at Culver’s where the staff knew exactly what he wanted, and he always got a “Hi Ken” from many of them. Sunday mornings after church were and will remain a special part of the week at Ken and Karen’s. Here is where we would sit around the kitchen table and catch up on the week’s activities, prepare for the next week and Ken would have “just a half-cup” of coffee.
Ken is survived by his wife, Karen; and children Krisan (Scot) Paun, Kari (Toby) Watson and Ken Lovstad. He was Papa and Grandpa to grandchildren Danielle (Aaron) Turner, Aaron (Amanda) Paun, Katlin (Connor) Linden, Jordan Watson and Sophie Watson and great-grandchildren Kashten and Reilyn Paun, Miles and Evelyn Turner and Henry and Charlotte Linden. He is further survived by a sister, Sonja (Byrl) Dahl; brother Rick (Ruth) Lovstad; sister-in-law Judy Lovstad; and many nieces and nephews.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Karl Lovstad; a sister, Christine Cliver; a nephew, Jeff Selk; and his dog, Buddy.
The family would like to thank Pastor Dan Schoessow for his visits with Ken, the staff at the House of the Dove for their compassionate care and Stacey Schlafke for her guidance and support through Ken’s journey.
We will love you forever and already miss you!
Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.
The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Ken’s family with funeral arrangements.