Kenneth James Tainter, 89, of Ontario passed away peacefully Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in his home. He was born Jan. 2, 1931, in Readstown to the late Zilmer and Mabel (Glass) Tainter.
Following graduation from Readstown High School, he worked at Tri-State Breeders for 17 years, followed by a career in cable TV in International Falls, Minn. He also raised mink, partnered with his sons in the ginseng business, and traveled to Alaska to mine gold.
He married Betty Ann Sherry in 1949, and they later divorced. Kenneth married Darlene (McMicken) Wilcox on Sept. 27, 1982, in International Falls, Minn. Together they celebrated 38 years of marriage.
Kenneth loved to fish and for most of his life shared that love with many friends and family. He also enjoyed deer hunting and made his annual trip to the family cabin in Hayward, Wis., with the hunting group that was near and dear to his heart.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Darlene; his son, Nathan (Debbie) Tainter; his daughter, Marsha Sullivan; his son, Kevin (Peggy) Tainter; and his son, Alan (Ann) Tainter; his stepson, Kirby Wilcox; nine grandchildren; one step-grandson; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; his brothers, Keith Tainter and Larry “Dood” (Debbie) Tainter; his sister-in-law, Kalleen (George) Sanders, and his brother-in-law, Terry McMicken; several nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; his twin sisters and their husbands, Bonney (Donald) Deckert and Betty (Ken) Larson; a sister-in-law, Marian Tainter; and a son-in-law, Jeff Sullivan.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 5, at Mount Pisgah Wesleyan Church in rural Ontario. Burial will follow in the Manning Cemetery in Readstown, Wis. Pastor Nathan Pyykkonen will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
Ken’s family would like to thank the staff at Ontario Ambulance Service, Norseland Nursing Home, and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care they provided.
