Kenneth Bischmann

Kenneth “Ken” Bischmann peacefully passed into eternal life on April 8, 2024.  

Ken graduated from Washington High School in Milwaukee and attended UW-Milwaukee.  He worked for 20 years at Ideals Publishing and 20 years at National Premium and Merchandising in sales and marketing management, where he rose to the level of Vice-President. In 1994, having a strong call to the Lord’s service, he left the corporate world to attend a 3-year program to become an Associate in Ministry (AIM) in the ELCA.  He was commissioned as an AIM and called to serve Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in 1997.  There he excelled in areas of stewardship, evangelism and program development.  In 2022, he received recognition of 25 years as a minister of word and service as a Deacon/AIM. 

Ken met Sue while teaching the accordian at LeDuca Brothers in Milwaukee, where Ken would serenade Sue by playing “I’m in the Mood for Love” on his saxophone.   Ken and Sue became joined together by their deep faith, Ken’s sense of humor, and their mutual love of baseball, which began after Ken impressed Sue by taking her to a Braves/Yankees World Series game in 1957.   

Upon moving to Waukesha, Ken and Sue became charter members of Christ the Servant, where Ken served many roles in a lay capacity and generously supported the church.  In his later years he guided the church’s fund designated to reach out to people in the community in poverty when no other help was available.  He also supported many other local and national charities throughout his life.   

Beyond his professional achievements and church life, Ken enjoyed traveling, camping with family and friends, stamp collecting, and model railroad building.  He was a tremendous storyteller with a great sense of humor, enjoyed fellowship and being around friends, playing games, and loved a good party.  In his later years, he enjoyed spending as much time at his cabin in Minocqua as possible, boating and fishing.  Most of all, Ken had a deep love of family.  He adored his six grandchildren, and his part-time job was to attend every sporting event, honor ceremony, concerts, plays, and graduations. 

Ken will be deeply missed by his beloved wife and best friend of nearly 63 years, Sue (nee: Strack) Bischmann; children: Jim (Dori) Bischmann, David (Heidi) Bischmann, and Betsy (Jim) McGuire, grandchildren: Alyssa (Tyler) Zajdel, Michael Bischmann, Zach (Marina Caliendo) Bischmann, Alex Bischmann, Emily McGuire, and Sean McGuire.  He is further survived by his brother Elwyn (Sandy) Bischmann. 

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 15, 2024 at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2016 Center Road, Waukesha, starting at 4:00 until the memorial church service begins at 7:00 pm.  A private family burial will take place earlier that day at Prairie Home Cemetery in Waukesha.   In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a contribution to Christ the Servant Lutheran Church or to a charity of their choice in Ken’s honor.