Visitiation today, Saturday, January 24, 2026, for former County Board chairman Ken Miller

Miller passed January 9, 2026, at his home in the Village of Germantown. Below is a tribute article as friends and fellow supervisors remembered Miller as “respectful” and a man who “cared a lot about the Fair Park.”

January 14, 2026 – Village of Germantown., Wi – Ken Miller, a longtime chairman of the Washington County Board and a central figure in county government for decades, has died at the age of 91. Remembered as a steady leader and consensus builder, Miller left a lasting imprint on county facilities, infrastructure, and public institutions.

Herb Tennies of West Bend, Wi served for 50 years on the Washington County Board. From 2008 – 2016 he was board chair, picking up the torch two years after Miller retired.  Tennies said Miller’s impact as a local representative was felt across multiple areas of county life.

“He did a terrific job, especially when he was chairman,” said Tennies, now 86. “He did a lot for the county fairgrounds, the buildings that are there. He got the Zieglers to contribute. He did a great job. He treated all of us with respect. He was a great chairman and a good German.”

Miller followed Reuben Schmahl as county board chairman, and it was during Miller’s time the current Washington County Fair Park was created.

Former county board supervisor Marilyn Merten, who served alongside Miller and shared his passion for the Washington County Fairgrounds, also reflected on his leadership and character.

“When he became chairman, he and I kind of worked together,” Merten said. “Ken was a good worker. He was definitely a people person, and he cared about people.”

Merten said Miller had a strong connection with everyone who shared his passion for the fairgrounds.

“He was very appreciative of all the volunteers and all the money that was donated for the fairgrounds,” she said. “He always said, ‘You’ve got to treat these people fairly. You’ve got to treat them well.’”

It was September 2020 when Merten was recognized for her service on the county board. Miller was under the weather and couldn’t make it but sent a note. A portion is posted below.

Dear Marilyn,

I am so sorry I cannot attend your retirement from the County Board.

Our paths have paralleled for quite some time starting with the Republican Party, through the years at the County up to the Ag-Industrial Society.

During those years we worked together on numerous projects, through some turbulence, but always came to a solution.

I was always impressed with your perfection no matter what. (Sometimes a bit annoyed as you know perfection was not one of my better traits).  

Merten said, “Ken was very dedicated to the county and did a lot for the county. I can say nothing but praise for him and for what he did.”

While Miller was a fixture at events during the County Fair, including when veterans were honored on the opening day of the fair, he also could be spotted daily at MaiFest in Germantown.

In his later years, despite a long battle with cancer, Miller remained engaged with friends and colleagues.

Merten recalled monthly lunches with fellow fairgrounds supporters and social gatherings at Miller’s home with his wife, Marge.

“He went as much as he could,” she said. “Marge was a great supporter all through that time. He really enjoyed seeing everybody, even when he wasn’t feeling well.”

Wisconsin Supreme Court State Justice Annette Ziegler worked with Ken Miller and remembered him fondly.

“Ken Miller was a man of exceptional faith and integrity, a principled leader, and a devoted public servant. He was honest, forthright, and tireless in his work for others. I valued the opportunity to work alongside him and will remember him with great respect.”

Retired Washington County Judge Andrew Gonring offered his condolences on Miller’s passing. “A great, nice, approachable guy who did a lot for this county.”

Sandy Lang served in some capacity at the Washington County Fair for 43 years. She stepped down as executive director in August 2016.  Lang remembered Miller as a driving force behind the fairgrounds and a leader who earned respect both professionally and personally.

“What a great guy — what a loss to the community,” Lang said. “Ken was very instrumental in starting the fairgrounds, and I had the greatest respect for him. We got along great. He respected me, I respected him, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Lang said Miller had a rare ability to follow through on commitments, particularly when it came to long-promised fairgrounds improvements.

“He knew when to do the right thing,” Lang said. “A lot of things used to get put on the back burner, but Ken saw things straight through.”

Beyond his public role, Lang said Miller became a trusted friend over the years.

“He had his fingers in a lot of stuff and did a lot of great things for the county,” Lang said. “He just kept bouncing back. I was out to lunch with him last month, and I’m really going to miss him.”

Former Fair Park executive director Kellie Boone said Miller was an integral part of getting Fair Park built. “He was an amazing man. I always had a fabulous working relationship with him, I respected and appreciated him and greatly enjoyed working with him on the Military Day at the fair,” she said.

Former Supervisor Mary Krumbiegel served on the Washington County Board from 1994 – 2008. “Ken was a great leader and helped steer us towards the new Fairgrounds,” she said. “He spent a lot of his life in service – including military service. He always wanted to serve his country and his community.”

Krumbiegel described Miller as “a good listener” and “he always tried to be fair.”

Krumbiegel was part of the fairgrounds group that got together monthly at Jimmy’e Restaurant in Jackson. She said Ken and Marge would show up whenever they could.

“A couple months ago I let the owner know it was Ken’s birthday and he brought a great big piece of cake and Ken took a couple forks full and said, ‘I think the rest goes home.'”

Ken and his wife Marge celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in September 2022. 

“I was 19,” said Marge when asked how young she was when she got married in 1957.

“I had to wait,” said Ken, who was four years her senior. “We met at church.”

The anniversary celebration was held at Germantown’s American Legion Hall. The Miller’s danced to the song ‘Could I have this Dance.’

Miller’s death marks the passing of one of Washington County’s most influential public servants, a leader whose decisions and relationships continue to benefit the county he served.

Below is the full obituary for Ken Miller, who passed Friday, January 9, 2026 at 9 p.m.

January 13, 2026 – Village of Germantown, Wi – Former Washington County Board chairman Kenneth F. Miller has died, he was 91.

 

Ken succumbed on January 9, 2026, to complications of his cancer diagnosis of over 20 years ago. Doctors gave him 5 to 7 years to survive. Ken beat those odds 3-fold. He was a determined fighter and never complained about his health. 

On the contrary, he often in prayer, thanked God for his health, an exceptional man of faith.  Friday was a beautiful day of expressed love.  The family was at his bedside when he went to God.  His children and Grandchildren were always his concern. He prayed often for their safety, future, and to sustain their Christian faith.

Ken was a full-time employee of the DOD through the WI Army National Guard for over 30 years.  He began work at Richard Street Armory, then the Milwaukee Area Air Defense Nike program for 13 years, which evolved into the Nike Hercules nuclear missile program.

When the Nike Herc program was decommissioned, he worked at West Bend National Guard Airport and then retired from Richard Street Armory, where he managed a Maintenance shop. 

In that capacity he was Super Cargo loading and unloading 1500 pieces of equipment on the Antares ship which sailed to Germany for a Reforger exercise.  While Ken preferred to be home, he traveled extensively for “The Guard,” and, with the family, which included 4 trips to Disney World. 

Ken retired after 42 years in the WI National Guard with a rank of CW4 as a Communications officer. For his service he was awarded a Legion of Merit and the Order of Mercury.

Most recently Ken was working with the City of Waukesha Park and Rec department to help develop the Nike Hercules location into a Cold War era museum at Hill Crest Park, another passion he had in the last years of his life.

During this same period of time, he also ran for the Washington County Board of supervisors and served 24 years, 12 of those as County Board Chairman. He said it was the best job he ever had. 

His proudest involvement was the creation of Washington County Fair Park complex and the AIS (Ag and Industrial Society) that was to control the park operations. Ken was an integral part of the Washington County Golf Course acquisition negotiations and subsequent building of the course. He had a way of bringing people of all types together, proponents and opposition securing monies to bring these projects to fruition.

Beloved husband of Margaret “Marge” “Margie” (Nee Huber) for 68 years. Dear father of Lynn Dawn (Pete) Schroeder, Eric “Rick” ( Lynn Marie) and Christopher “Chris” (Laura) Miller. Proud Opa of Jacob, Zak, Andrew, Luke (Elise), Sydney, Ashley and Maria. Dear Great Opa of Owen. Dear brother of Ronald ( Linda) Miller and the late Clara Mae Kuhn. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

The Visitation for Ken will be held Saturday, January 24 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Washington County Fair Park Pavilion, 3000 Pleasant Valley Roard in West Bend, Wi. with refreshments available.

Funeral Service will be on Sunday January 25 at 2 p.m. at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ, W172 N12533 Division Road in Germantown with the burial to follow at the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to AIS ( Fair Park Operations), Hillcrest Nike Site project Fund or Our Saviour’s Cemetery Association.

The family would also like to thank the hospice caregivers for all their help.