Kenneth Clyde Willits, 96, of Lincoln, and recently of Omaha, died peacefully with loved ones at his side on November 3, 2014. He was born at the family home in Polk, Neb. on June 13, 1918. Ken went to Polk High School and was the first in his family to graduate from college. He went on to earn advanced degrees in education from the University of Nebraska. Ken married Margaret Stalker, with whom he shared a love of dancing, in 1942. Ken served in the Army before beginning his career in education; he was a teacher, coach and later superintendent of schools.
Kenny had an amazing memory for people, names and places. He was a great public speaker and master story-teller who was willing to share at any time the stories, jokes and "little ditties" he had committed to memory. Sports were an important part of Ken's life, as a football coach, avid golfer, Husker fan and Senior Nebr. Games shot put and discus champion.
Ken was a compassionate care-giver during Margaret's illness. He was the patriarch of the Willits family. Over the years, Ken's children saw him as a loving, kind, patient and attentive parent who was also fun-loving, demanding and fair. He would endlessly entertain his children and grandchildren. We treasure the memories of a life well-lived. The family would like to thank the Lighthouse staff for the loving care of their father.
Kenneth is survived by his sister, Welcome Alt; and his children, Michael, Jo, Timothy, Douglas and Rebecca; as well as 5 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services: November 15, 11:30 AM, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S 14th St, Lincoln, NE. No visitation. Cremation. Donations in Ken's memory can be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 4530 A St., Lincoln, NE 68510, 402-489-9618 or Fisher Center for Alzheimer's, at www.alzinfo.org/donate.
Kenny had an amazing memory for people, names and places. He was a great public speaker and master story-teller who was willing to share at any time the stories, jokes and "little ditties" he had committed to memory. Sports were an important part of Ken's life, as a football coach, avid golfer, Husker fan and Senior Nebr. Games shot put and discus champion.
Ken was a compassionate care-giver during Margaret's illness. He was the patriarch of the Willits family. Over the years, Ken's children saw him as a loving, kind, patient and attentive parent who was also fun-loving, demanding and fair. He would endlessly entertain his children and grandchildren. We treasure the memories of a life well-lived. The family would like to thank the Lighthouse staff for the loving care of their father.
Kenneth is survived by his sister, Welcome Alt; and his children, Michael, Jo, Timothy, Douglas and Rebecca; as well as 5 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services: November 15, 11:30 AM, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S 14th St, Lincoln, NE. No visitation. Cremation. Donations in Ken's memory can be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 4530 A St., Lincoln, NE 68510, 402-489-9618 or Fisher Center for Alzheimer's, at www.alzinfo.org/donate.
Kenneth Clyde Willits, 96, of Lincoln, and recently of Omaha, died peacefully with loved ones at his side on November 3, 2014. He was born at the family home in Polk, Neb. on June 13, 1918. Ken went to Polk High School and was the first in his family to graduate from college. He went on to earn advanced degrees in education from the University of Nebraska. Ken married Margaret Stalker, with whom he shared a love of dancing, in 1942. Ken served in the Army before beginning his career in education; he was a teacher, coach and later superintendent of schools.
Kenny had an amazing memory for people, names and places. He was a great public speaker and master story-teller who was willing to share at any time the stories, jokes and "little ditties" he had committed to memory. Sports were an important part of Ken's life, as a football coach, avid golfer, Husker fan and Senior Nebr. Games shot put and discus champion.
Ken was a compassionate care-giver during Margaret's illness. He was the patriarch of the Willits family. Over the years, Ken's children saw him as a loving, kind, patient and attentive parent who was also fun-loving, demanding and fair. He would endlessly entertain his children and grandchildren. We treasure the memories of a life well-lived. The family would like to thank the Lighthouse staff for the loving care of their father.
Kenneth is survived by his sister, Welcome Alt; and his children, Michael, Jo, Timothy, Douglas and Rebecca; as well as 5 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services: November 15, 11:30 AM, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S 14th St, Lincoln, NE. No visitation. Cremation. Donations in Ken's memory can be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 4530 A St., Lincoln, NE 68510, 402-489-9618 or Fisher Center for Alzheimer's, at www.alzinfo.org/donate.
Kenny had an amazing memory for people, names and places. He was a great public speaker and master story-teller who was willing to share at any time the stories, jokes and "little ditties" he had committed to memory. Sports were an important part of Ken's life, as a football coach, avid golfer, Husker fan and Senior Nebr. Games shot put and discus champion.
Ken was a compassionate care-giver during Margaret's illness. He was the patriarch of the Willits family. Over the years, Ken's children saw him as a loving, kind, patient and attentive parent who was also fun-loving, demanding and fair. He would endlessly entertain his children and grandchildren. We treasure the memories of a life well-lived. The family would like to thank the Lighthouse staff for the loving care of their father.
Kenneth is survived by his sister, Welcome Alt; and his children, Michael, Jo, Timothy, Douglas and Rebecca; as well as 5 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services: November 15, 11:30 AM, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S 14th St, Lincoln, NE. No visitation. Cremation. Donations in Ken's memory can be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 4530 A St., Lincoln, NE 68510, 402-489-9618 or Fisher Center for Alzheimer's, at www.alzinfo.org/donate.
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