KENNETH L. SCHOUTEN
Kenneth L. Schouten, age 84 of Emerald, died Saturday, October 10, 2015 at the Neighbors of Dunn County in Menomonie, WI, with his loving wife, Lorraine at his side.
Ken was born January, 29, 1931 in Glenwood City to Jake and Dagmar (Hansen) Schouten. He was the oldest of 5 children. He graduated from Glenwood City High School in 1950.
After graduation he was employed at Waldorf Paper Company in St. Paul, MN until he was drafted into the Army where he fought in the Korean War. During this time he married Lorraine Dobosz on February 8, 1952 in the middle of a snow storm. Their marriage was blessed with 5 children and they made their home in rural Emerald/Glenwood City.
Ken drove truck both as an owner/operator and as a driver for many trucking companies throughout the years. He was still driving truck for local farmers up until the fall of 2014.
In the 70’s Ken and Lorraine became horse owners. They had riding horses and then moved on to bigger things with Percheron Draft Horses. He soon became a member of the Draft Horse family and attended many county and state fairs where he was a halter and driving class exhibitor.
In the early 80’s Ken and Lorraine purchased the Horseman’s Bar in Emerald where Lorraine was the “boss lady” and Ken was the “PR man.” They soon organized and started the first “Horsin Around Days”and Ken began a new career in announcing at many local horse parades. They remained in the bar for 5 years.
Ken spent much of his time attending horse shows where he did some of the judging, announcing, shared wisdom and watched his children and grandchildren, as they followed in his footsteps and shared the love of horses. He was awarded the great honor of being inducted in to the Wisconsin Draft Horse Hall of Fame in 2013.
Ken enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards. He loved life and enjoyed family, especially spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ken was the life of the party. He was never at a loss for words and he loved to tell stories and jokes. Some stories even included a little “BS” at times. We all knew him as a flirt and he always had a big kiss and hug for the ladies. We will never forget his favorite line, “WHO LOVES YA.”
Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Dagmar; Father & Mother-in-law, Stanley and Frances; brothers Leo and Cliff; son Mike, and great-grandchildren Joshua, Demetry and Jackson.
Ken is survived by wife, Lorraine; children: Jeff (Carol), Linda (Tim), Todd and Jon; grandchildren: Jennifer, Jeremy, Jodi (Tony), Laura (Ty), Brad (Mandi), Michael and Sara (Ryan); great-grandchildren: Jenna, Austin, Harlee, Tessa, Johanna, NovaRain and soon two more; sister, Karen (Bob) and brother, Jerry (Deb); and nephews, nieces and many other friends and relatives.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Glenwood City. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Emerald. Friends may call at Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the services Wednesday.