Kenneth Leo Wenn

Kenneth Leo Wenn, a New Orleans native, born on July 13, 1931, to the late Julian G. Wenn Sr., and Vivian Manning Wenn, departed God’s beloved Earth on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at the age of 93. Cherished husband of his late wife Alberta S. Wenn (married for 69 years) and survived by his son Thomas S. Wenn and daughter Laura W. Whipple (Tom).

Ken was preceded in death by his brother Julian G. Wenn Jr. (Jane). He is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Prior to graduating from Warren Easton High School in 1948, Ken met his soon to-be wife Alberta, in 1947 who attended Sacred Heart High School, conveniently located across Canal Street. They began their relationship together, at the tender age of 14 and 16 respectively, navigating a happy and loving life-long journey.

Ken started a distinguished military career in the Fall of 1948 at LSU, where he joined the Army ROTC. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in June, 1952, Ken and Alberta were married just two months later in September. This began the adventure of a lifetime, with Ken’s first Army deployment to White Sands, NM.

In 1953, Ken discovered his love of flying and served as an Army pilot and instructor as a Master Aviator with fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. This included tours in Japan, Germany, Korea (2), Vietnam, and the Pentagon, before returning to New Orleans in 1974 as the head of the Tulane Army ROTC program. He later created Army ROTC programs at Delgado Junior College, Dillard University and UNO to broaden the Army’s leadership opportunities for young men and women in New Orleans.

Ken achieved the Rank of Colonel in 1973, and over the years was awarded numerous citations and medals, including the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Legion of Merit Medals (2), Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medals (3).

Ken’s greatest achievements were not only in the service to his country, but his giving to the community as well. Following his retirement from the Army in 1979, Ken was invited to join the faculty at Tulane where he was instrumental in developing an academic tutoring and mentoring program for Tulane’s athletes.

Ken will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched, and is now resting in peace with Alberta.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation at St. Ann Catholic Church and Shrine in Metairie, beginning at 10:00am on Saturday, January 11, 2025 followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00am. A luncheon will be hosted by the family at Chateau Country Club in Kenner, after Mass.

Interment will be on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM, at Lake Lawn Park Cemetery.

Donations can be made in Ken’s memory to the Military Officers Association of America Scholarship Fund at MOAA.org.