Kenneth Sr. Deeg

Kenneth Eugene Deeg was born May 2, 1924 in Colorado. Kenneth grew up in St. Paul, MN where he graduated from Johnson High School. Following school Ken joined the US Navy. He was serving at Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii when the Japanese attacked. He also served in the south Pacific where he served as a tail gunner in a B-17 and was awarded the Purple Heart. Following his discharge from the military Ken was married to Penny Tarzia on June 30, 1945 in Brooklyn, NY. The couple moved to Minnesota where Ken worked in construction as a heavy equipment operator. They were blessed with two children, Kitty and Ken, Jr. For a time Ken and his family moved wherever his job took him in Minnesota and North Dakota. In 1953 Ken and his family moved to Brooklyn where he worked in construction. Nine years later he moved to New Jersey where he worked as a plumber until his retirement in 1986. In 1992 the couple returned to Minnesota to be close to family and made their home on Lake Taylor just west of Alexandria. Ken was a former member of the VFW, Moose Lodge and was active with AmVets. Ken loved nature and the outdoors. He liked watching and feeding the wildlife. Ken enjoyed fishing in summer and winter in Minnesota and deep-sea fishing in New Jersey. He also enjoyed deer hunting. Ken spent time collecting coins and stamps. Family life was important to Ken. He supported his children in their activities and also coached softball and football. On Saturday, January 2, 2010 Kenneth died at the age of eighty-five years. His wife, Penny, preceded him in death. Kenneth is survived by his two children, Kitty Johnson and husband, Steve, of Pillager, MN and Kenneth Deeg, Jr. and wife, Lynn, of Vadnais Heights, MN; five grandchildren, Marc, Heather, Angie, Kenny III and Coleen; five great grandchildren; Austin, Dillon, Tyler, Alexandra and Zachary; one brother, Jerry Oberle of Minnesota; two sisters, Jackie Blaschko of Phoenix, AZ and Roberta McQuiggan of Montgomery, MN; and Ken?s two dogs, Suzie and Oreo. A funeral service will be held 10 AM Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Reverend John Peshek will officiate and Kim Byrne will provide music. Interment will be at a later date in Amery, WI. Honorary casket bearers include Kenneth Deeg, Jr., Marc Deeg, Steve Johnson, Simon Kremer, Mike Bullock and Randy Johnson. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home.