Kenneth Wayne Yergler

Ken was born on November 18, 1949, to Willard and Dolores (Whitcomb) Yergler. To his parents and siblings, he was affectionately known as Kenny. He grew up on the family farm in Hanna, Indiana, a place he remembered fondly and loved to talk about.

He married Janis Ann Franks on October 22, 1976, and together they made their home in LaPorte, Indiana, where their first two children, Amber Marie and Brian Matthew, were born. In 1981, following his passion for the mountains, Ken moved his family to Wheatland, Wyoming, where he began working at the Laramie River Station power plant as an Instrumentation and Control Technician. Two more children, Karen Elaine and Cinthia Ann, completed their family. Ken was deeply proud of each of his children and supported them wholeheartedly in all they did.

Ken and Janis were overjoyed to welcome six grandchildren over the years: Ebony Lydia Yergler, Adrianna Grace Reimer, Layla Ann Hayford, Aidan Scott Hayford, Bree Nova Reimer, and Catharina Rose Reimer.

Ken and Janis moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, in 2011, where they enjoyed several happy years together. In 2015, Janis passed away after a battle with leukemia. Ken’s family will always remember the devotion and strength he showed in caring for her during her final months.

Ken was blessed to find love again and married Debbie Jo (Losé) Gundlach on January 14, 2017. Through this marriage, the Yergler family grew to include two stepchildren, Brian Glenn Gundlach and Sarah Lane Gundlach-Rodden, and three grandchildren, Artessia Gwendolyn Gundlach, Kennedy Jo Rodden, and Avery Faye Rodden. Ken also gained a nickname he wore with pride and humor: “Nana Ken.”

From a young age, music was woven into Ken’s life as a source of joy, friendship, and faith that never faded. He loved singing at church, at Camp Grace, and in many barbershop quartets and choruses over the years. His passion for barbershop quartetting took him across the country to Harmony Brigade “eXtreme Quartetting” events, where he sang for hours with other men who enjoyed a cappella singing.

Ken had many other interests as well. He enjoyed genealogy and gold panning, and he delighted in telling stories about these hobbies to anyone who would listen. For many years, he was an active member of First Baptist Church in Wheatland, serving as a deacon and AWANA Commander, and volunteering often at Camp Grace, where he brought his family to family camp throughout the 1990s. His children also fondly remember the dune buggy he built in the 1970s and the joy of riding around in it together.

Later in life, Ken bought his dream car: a ’51 Ford he affectionately named “Rosie.” He joined a local car club and enjoyed showing her off at community events. Ken and Debbie loved traveling, dancing, playing games with friends, and being part of a circle of friends who brought laughter and joy to their days. They were also thrilled to become great-grandparents with the arrival of their great-granddaughter, Lucyanna Sol Torres, in 2021.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Janis Yergler; his granddaughter, Ebony Yergler; his parents, Willard J. and Dolores Yergler; and his brother, Willard G. Yergler.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Debbie Jo Gundlach; his children Amber (Gregory) Reimer, Brian Yergler, Karen (Zachary) Davis, and Cinthia (Kendall) Hayford; his stepchildren Brian Gundlach and Sarah (Matthew) Gundlach-Rodden; his grandchildren Adrianna (Ryan) Otten-Reimer, Layla Hayford, Aidan Hayford, Bree Reimer, Catharina Reimer, Artessia Gundlach, Kennedy Rodden, and Avery Rodden; his great-granddaughter, Lucyanna Torres; siblings Raymond (Donna) Yergler, Kathryn Lyons, Marilyn Tyree, and Diane (Rick) Couch; along with many nieces and nephews, friends, and his beloved dogs, Pinkie and Reggie.

Ken’s life was full of song, laughter, and love. Though his voice will be dearly missed, the harmony he created will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, located at 4650 Sunview Dr, Loveland, CO, 80538, on November 1, 2025, starting at 11:30 am. Please join the family for a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send a gift to Tunnel to Towers, Pathways Hospice Care, NOCO Humane Society, or Camp Grace.

Memories of Ken and words of condolence for his family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.