Kenneth Stettnisch

Kenneth Gene Stettnisch, 91, Barnes, KS., died Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri, of BRCA-type cancer.

He was born April 29, 1932 in Barnes, KS, to Wesley Edward Stettnisch and Esther Mina Bird Stettnisch. He was the fourth of 11 children: Darlene, Virginia, Helen, Mary Ann, Lorraine, Donald, Gerald, Geraldine, Richard, and Jean.

He was an industrious youth, always engaged in odd jobs, such as working for his blacksmith grandfather; delivering newspapers; shining shoes at the barber shop; waiting tables and catching fish for restaurant; earning a daily quart of milk from milkman to bring home; helping at the grain elevator; plowing, baling, and picking for farmers; working dining car and laying rail with his father. At the age of 14 Ken moved to Manhattan, KS, where he worked at the Wareham Hotel as elevator operator and bellhop, and at two different bakeries and attended high school. He quit when he thought would be called up to active duty in Korea. He later received his GED with high marks.

Ken married Ramona Joyce Keefover on August 16, 1953, in Marysville, KS. They lived in Manhattan, KS, then moved to the Kansas City metro in 1963, where they raised three daughters.

He served in the Kansas National Guard for more than 20 years, with the rank of E8 1^st Sgt in the 110^th Ordnance Company. He was called up for active duty during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  Ken worked as a machinist most his adult life. He ran his own business Stettnisch Tool & Die, Overland Park, KS, from 1977 until he retired in 1997.

After retirement, Ken and Ramona moved back to Barnes, the town he always thought of as home. He was city councilman for one year, and was voted mayor in April of 1999. His second stint as mayor ended just six months before his death, when he resigned to stay in the Kansas City area for medical treatment and connection with surviving relatives.

During retirement, he was active in the American Legion, Barnes Lions Club, Barnes Community Development Corporation, and Barnes United Methodist Church.  Throughout his life, he enjoyed camping, boating, gardening, fixing, building, square dancing, watching K-State games, civic duties, church involvement, and helping Ramona with genealogy.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife Ramona Keefover Stettnisch, his daughters: Christine Rupp and  Dianna Brysky, his siblings: Darlene Schuster, Virginia Bennett, Mary Ann McMillan, Lorraine Stallard, Gerald Stettnisch, Richard Stettnisch, and Jean Maxon.

Kenneth’s survivors include his daughter Teri Stettnisch; his grandchildren: Jesse, Nathan, and Micah Rupp; Erin Wright; Hana Spangler Sundet and Marta Spangler; his great-grandchildren: Logan Rogers and Brynlee Wright; Nathaniel, Adriel, and Eslie Rupp; Ellouise and Nolan Rupp; Sage and Rain Sundet; and his siblings: Helen Gardner, Donald Stettnisch, and Geraldine Stallard.

A viewing is planned from noon to 8:00 pm, Friday, March 1, 2024, with visitation being between 6:00 and 8:00 pm, at Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville.

Funeral services are at 10:30 am, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Barnes Christian Church, Barnes, Kansas with Pastor Berniece Ludlum officiating. Betty Guin will be the musician.  Music is to include a congregational hymn of “How Great Thou Art” and a recorded selection of “I’ll Fly Away”. Casket bearers are:  Jesse Rupp, Nathan Rupp, Micha Rupp, Nathaniel Rupp, Ryan Wright and Aaron Sundet. Burial with Military Honors will be at Maplewood Cemetery, west of Barnes.  

Memorials are suggested to Barnes Community Development Corporation or the Barnes Lions Club and may be sent in care of Christie-Anderes Funeral Home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.

Condolences may be left at www.apfunerals.com.