Kenneth William Whitmier

The son of William John Whitmier (Wiedmaier) and Carrie Moria Myers Whitmier grew up in Milbank and Sisseton, South Dakota. He was born November 5, 1934 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. William passed away when Kenny was 6 years old in 1940; his mother Carrie married George Conley (stepfather) in 1944.

At the age of 17, Ken enlisted in the U. S. Army. He valued this service highly and attained the rank of Master Sergeant. As part of his service he traveled to various locations around the world. Having served during the Korean War, Ken also served two tours of duty in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Ken was awarded the Bronze Star Medal during both tours of Vietnam duty. His last duty station was as Senior NCO ROTC Instructor at Purdue University, Indiana. Ken retired from the military after over 26 years of honorable service with numerous awards, citations and other honors in 1978.

In 1955, Kenny returned home to Sisseton on leave from his duty station in Colorado, when he met his future wife Cathy Canku on a blind date. He must have been smitten as Kenny and Cathy shortly eloped to Colorado Springs, after he asked her father for her hand in marriage. The test of time proved the strength of their love, as next month, July would have been their 68th year of marriage.

Ken and Cathy for most of their first 18 years of marriage raised their three children near Fort Leonard Wood (his military duty station) in the Waynesville-St. Roberts area in Missouri.

After his retirement from his position as a U.S. Army ROTC Instructor at Purdue University, Ken and Cathy spent a few years in Palatine, Illinois near their daughter Kathy and her husband, but eventually decided to settle in Southern Florida near the youngest daughter Tammy. As a second career, his favorite position was in Aviation Management with the AOG Battery Shop at Executive Airport in Fort Lauderdale.

Ken’s retirement was enhanced by his involvement with the 35th Infantry Regiment (Cacti) Association, where he was able to rekindle the brotherhood and friendship of other Army veterans who have dutifully and honorably served with him in Vietnam. Their friendship and fellowship became the motivating factor which allowed him to celebrate his life for the last 20 years.

Also of note, was Ken’s love of Classic Country music (along with a bit of crooners thrown in the mix) and his affinity toward animals. He always had a passion for dogs (German Shepard's in particular) but eventually cats became part of his beloved family.

Ken is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, Catherine Helen (Canku) Whitmier and son (Lance) Lyle Wayne Whitmier of Huntington Beach California with partner Robert O’Meara, daughters Kathy Prendergast of Bolingbrook Illinois with husband Thomas Prendergast III and Tammy Sue Whitmier of Lauderhill Florida with husband Gary Booze.

A service honoring the life of Ken will be held at Kramer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 1655 University Drive, Coral Springs, Fl 33071.

Visitation from 10 AM to 11 AM.

Funeral Service 11 AM to 12 PM.

Reception 12 PM to 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made at either two of his favorite charities DAV (Disabled Veterans Association) or the Humane Society of Broward County.

Charity links, fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kraeercoralsprings.com for the Whitmier family.