Kenneth M. Ligare

The loons are returning to Pallette Lake this month. They’ll remember you, Ken. You’ll hear their call.

Kenneth McAllister Ligare, age 80, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 17, 2007. Ken was born in Chicago on October 10, 1926, son of the late Kenneth and Zada (McAllister) Ligare. Immediately following his graduation from Oak Park-River Forest
High School, Ken entered the United States Navy and served for two years as a radio and radar technician. Though born in Chicago, Ken always said that he “grew up in the Navy.” Following his honorable discharge and with the assistance of the G.I. Bill, Ken enrolled in and graduated in 1950, with a major in mathematics, from Carleton College, in Northfield, Minnesota. While at Carleton, Ken excelled at hockey, and was named the captain/coach of the hockey team in his senior year. Ken’s Carleton days held a special place in his heart; he was always thankful for the many lifelong friends he made during his days at Carleton. Shortly following graduation, on June 12, 1950, he married the former Carol Smith in Edina, Minnesota; she survives. The couple then moved to Providence, Rhode Island where Ken began work in the insurance business. After two years, they relocated to the Fox River Valley in 1952 and Ken accepted employment with Miller Electric in Appleton. He started out in the service department, and retired from the sales department in 1984. Following his retirement, and with support from Mrs. Miller and Rotary International, Ken spent over three months in the Dominican Republic, setting up a welding shop at Hogar Escuela to help with the education of disadvantaged young men. He returned for an additional two months in 1987. Ken was involved in many community activities. He was an active member at All Saints Episcopal Church for fifty-five years. He was also a member of Rotary West, where he was honored with a Paul Harris Fellowship, the Fox Cities Housing Partnership, and since 1955 had been a leader for several different Boy Scout Troops. He volunteered as a trail guide for school children at Mosquito Hill Nature Center near Hortonville and enjoyed photography and crafting beautiful wooden bowls on his wood lathe. The outdoors always held special meaning for Ken, and he loved to canoe, hike, and spend time in the mountains of the North American west.

Ken will be well remembered for his involvement with the youth hockey program at Jones Park in Appleton. For many years, he coached, mentored, and befriended the many youngsters who turned to hockey at the park as a safe and fun way to spend their free time.

Ken is survived by his wife: Carol Ligare of Combined Locks; three children: Kathleen Ligare of Amelia Island, Florida; Martin (Anne Shapiro) Ligare of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania; and Douglas Ligare of Albuquerque, New Mexico; a grandson: Adon Ligare Shapiro; two sisters: Kathryn (Walter) Lillyman of Dixon, Illinois and Blanche Lindmark of Seattle, Washington; two sisters-in-law: Joyce Steinke of New Ulm, Minnesota and Norma Christopher of Edina, Minnesota; and a dear family friend: Keith Brandt of Kansas City, Missouri. Ken was preceded in death by a son-in-law John Rotchford, and brothers-in-law William Steinke, and Robert Christopher.

A memorial service to celebrate Ken’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 100 North Drew Street in Appleton, with Fr. Patrick Twomey officiating. The family will receive visitors at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 AM until the hour of the service, and again following the service in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial funds have been established at Carleton College, St. Paul Elder Services Endowment Fund, All Saints Church, and for Alzheimer’s Research. It is the family’s sincere desire that a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease be found, and to that end Ken’s brain was donated to the Human Brain and Spinal Fluid Resource Center at UCLA.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers and professionals who have assisted them during Ken’s illness. They include Drs. Desai, Copper, Phillips, Werner, and Makeever, the staff at St. Paul Elder Services, especially the nurses and aids on Apple Tree Court, and Ginny R., Jane D., and John W. Thanks also to Fr. Patrick Twomey whose thoughts, prayers, and compassion have helped the family.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, Wisconsin 54911
920-739-1231