Kenneth J. (Ken) Hardwicke, age 81, of Waupaca, WI, passed away on Monday, January 20th, 2025 at his residence, after a brief illness. He was born in Chicago, IL on April 15, 1943, a son of the late Chester and Irene (Gentile) Hardwicke.
Ken graduated from Lake Park High School in Medina, IL and Bradley University in Peoria, IL
where he met his wife, Mary Kay Michael. Ken proudly served in the United States Army, stationed in Ft. Carson, Colorado from 1966-1968, and returned home and married Mary Kay on September 20, 1969.
They moved to Roselle, IL, and Ken began his career as a Newspaper Editor for the Glen Ellyn News, The Wheaton Leader, and later The Lombardian. They had two children while living in Roselle, Heather and Shane.
They purchased a cottage on Gilbert Lake in Wild Rose, WI in 1976 and the family enjoyed swimming, boating and socializing every summer at the lake, right up through the summer of 2024.
In 1988 the family moved to Waupaca, Wisconsin where they now reside and Ken continued his Journalism career, working for Waupaca Publishing as the Editor for the Weyauwega Chronicle until his retirement.
Ken’s family was first and foremost, and he was especially proud of his two children and their accomplishments and successes in life. He passed along his writing skills and wit to both of them.
After his retirement, he enjoyed taking daily road trips with Mary Kay, and once or twice a year, a drive down to the Gulf Coast. He was an avid fan of the AC/DC music group. He was also an avid sports fan starting out as a strong Chicago Cubs and Bears fan, and much to his daughter’s dismay, turning over to a Green Bay Packers fan. Ken made an effort to become knowledgeable in interests and hobbies he may not have been familiar with so that he could engage with others in conversations about their leisure pursuits.
Ken always found the good in everyone. He has been described as a beautiful soul with a gentle and kind heart and one of the most attentive listeners ever met. His countless good deeds, and unselfish gestures gave him the legacy of a really good man. If you knew Ken, you had a loyal friend for life. If someone had their eye out for something, Ken became a “man on a mission” to find it. Often, after some of his long road trips down south he would return and make thoughtful deliveries of bounties he had picked up for those he was fond of. The happiness of others was very important to him.
Survivors include his Wife: Mary Kay Hardwicke, Waupaca, WI; Children: Heather (Mark) Hafferman, Waupaca, WI; Shane (Renata dos Reis) Hardwicke, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Grandchildren: Larissa, and Liam Hardwicke, both of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents - Chester and Irene Hardwicke, and a sister, Joyce Des Jardins.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, WI on Saturday, February 1st, 2025, from 4-6pm with Military Honors following. Interment will be held at Lakeside Memorial Park in Waupaca on February 4, 2025 at 2PM. A memorial this summer will be announced at a later date.
