Kenneth VanDrese

Escanaba, MI

Ken VanDrese, 85, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 3rd, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born October 20, 1939 in Green Bay, WI, he was the 4th son of Harry and Sadie (Delmont) VanDrese.

Ken graduated from Gladstone High School in 1962. Soon after graduation Ken joined the Army, doing basic training and AIT at Fort Knox, KY, then transferred to Nurnberg, Germany to the 4th Armor Division as a Tank Crew Member, Tank Driver, and Gunner. Ken was discharged from the Army in 1964 as a SP4 E-4 Corporal; however his time spent in the Army was one of the highlights of his life. While stationed in Germany he took the opportunity to visit many European countries which created a lifetime of happy memories for him. His face would light up retelling his Army-time memories and stories. He earned 13 medals as well as the Proficiency Tank Course Certificate in 1963 in Grafenwoehr, Germany, and he displayed them all with great pride. He was very proud of his time in the military and was a lifelong patriot.

A year and a half after returning home Ken married the former Laurie Shirk on November 28, 1965 at Holy Family Church in Flat Rock. Together they shared 61 wonderful years.

Ken attended the Milwaukee Institute of Technology in Milwaukee, WI and earned a degree in Auto Body Repair. With that degree he began his career with Northern Motor Company in Escanaba as an Auto Body Technician, retiring after 32 years.

In his retirement Ken found great joy in exercising his outstanding carpentry skills. He was a confirmed tinkerer and his hands were always busy with one project on his workbench while another taking form in his mind. You would find him building, painting, repairing or inventing something handy to improve the lives of those around him. He found personal satisfaction taking his morning cup of coffee to sit (on the deck he built) watching the sun come up across the river. Playing his guitar was his quiet time enjoyment. He was a dedicated Green Bay Packers and Michigan Wolverines fan.

In addition to his loving wife Laurie, survived by:

Children: Cindy (Jay) Crafton of Liton, IN

Craig (Tracy) VanDrese of Grand Rapids, MI

Siblings: Ronald VanDrisse of Shawno, WI, Sharon (Alex) Sovey Gwinn, MI, Shirley (Gene) Patek Luxembourg WI, Cheryl (Larry) Pepin of Daggett, MI and Joann Reynolds of Cornell, MI

Sisters-in-law: Lois VanDrese, Kathy Shirk; brother-in-law James Shirk.

6 Grandchildren

10 Great Grandchildren

And numerous Nieces, Nephews and Cousins

In addition to his Parents Ken is preceded in death by: Son, Jeffrey Allen VanDrese

Brother: Clayton VanDrese

Sisters-in-law: Judy VanDrisse, Linda Shirk, Peggy Brown, Irma Anderkin, Sharon Shirk and Suzanne Alexander

Brothers-in-law: Bill Reynolds, Paul Shirk and Shane Shirk

Baby Brother: Leroy VanDrese

Nephew: Randy VanDrisse

Ken left a personal, hand-written note wishing to thank his neighbors: Al and Rose Henderson, Don and Cindy LaMarche and Don and Deb Kermo, Josh Webber; also siblings/in-laws Sharon and Al Sovey, Larry and Cheryl Pepin, Larry Shirk, Mike and Chris Shirk family, and Joann Reynolds for all the help given through the years. “……..and cousins — just had a thing about [his] cousins. [He] respected and was proud of all of them.”

Family will receive friends on Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. A funeral service will follow visiting hours at 1:00 PM with Donna Rockman officiating at Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. A luncheon will follow at Community Christ Church, 1022 Wisconsin Avenue, Gladstone, MI, 49837. Ken will be laid to rest in the Fernwood Cemetery with military honors. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the VanDrese family.