Oct. 11, 2017 – West Bend, WI – Willard H. Kaun, 94, of West Bend, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, at the Aurora Medical Center in Hartford.
Willard was born on October 26, 1922, in the town of Addison, the son of the late William and Theresa (Emmer) Kaun. On July 25, 1950, he was united in marriage to Elaine L. Horst at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashua, Iowa. Willard and Elaine were married for almost 66 years. Elaine preceded Willard in death on March 21, 2016.
Willard grew up on the family farm in the town of Addison and enjoyed farming for many decades. He graduated from West Bend High School in 1940. In 1944, Willard entered the Army Airforce and served his country during World War II and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Following his service to his country, he was one of the original employees of Weasler Engineering where he worked as a machinist and retired in 1986. On September 11, 2015, he participated in the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.
Willard leaves behind to cherish his memory include his three children, Tom (Wendy) Kaun of New Lenox, IL., Kathleen (Randy) Gumm of West Bend; and Dan (Amy) Kaun of Racine; six grandchildren, Ben (Megan) Kaun of Santa Rosa CA., Stephen Kaun of Santa Barbara CA., Erica (Ryan) Schellhaas of Menomonee Falls, Kayla (Adam) Turgeon of Wauwatosa, Ryan Kaun of Racine, and Michael Kaun of Racine; five great-grandchildren, Jonas Kaun, Wrenna Kaun, Logan Schellhaas, Kylee Schellhaas, and JP Turgeon; a sister-in-law, Gloria Luedtke; 23 nieces and nephews; other relatives and very dear friends.
In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Floyd Luedtke and Alfred Jr. (Pearl) Horst; five sisters-in-law, Viola (Jim) Grady, Jeanette (Vincent) Hausmann, Florence (Elroy) Beilke, Laverne Horst, and Delores (George) Kraeuche; and two nephews.
A funeral service in remembrance of Willard will be held on Monday, October 16, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 809 S. 6th Ave., in West Bend, with Rev. David Kellerman officiating. Burial will follow the service at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Hartford.
Willard’s family will greet relatives and friends on Monday at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service.
Memorials to St. John’s Lutheran Church are appreciated by the family.
The Myrhum Patten Miller & Kietzer Funeral Homes have been entrusted with Willard’s arrangements.