Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

Kenneth T. Pudenz

1938 – 2022

Posted 9/28/22

Kenneth T. Pudenz, 83, of Harrisburg, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Boone Hospital with his family by his side.

Ken was born on December 11, 1938 (AD, as he always …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Kenneth T. Pudenz

1938 – 2022

Posted

Kenneth T. Pudenz, 83, of Harrisburg, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Boone Hospital with his family by his side.

Ken was born on December 11, 1938 (AD, as he always clarified) in Carroll, Iowa, to Albert and Rose Pudenz, the eighth of nine children. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1955. A natural athlete, Ken played basketball and pitched for a minor league baseball team. However, at the age of 16, Ken shifted his focus to operating the family farm after his father passed away. His life took another turn in 1961 when he walked into a hardware store and met the love of his life, Karen. Karen was immediately smitten by Ken’s bright blue eyes and his sports car parked outside. They were married in 1962 and raised five children who bore witness to their unparalleled love.

Ken moved to Harrisburg in 1976, where he spent seven years raising cattle, hogs, and fields of crops—always planted in straight rows. As family farms faced the financial crisis in 1983, Ken’s attention to detail and strong work ethic proved to be assets that helped him transition to a job in the construction industry. After a few years, Ken began working at the service station in Harrisburg, which he purchased in 1988 and renamed Ken’s Service Center. It was here where Ken become immersed in the Harrisburg community, touching the hearts of many with his playful grin, honest business practices, and loyalty to his customers. Those years were also treasured by his sons, Kevin and Kerry, as they worked side by side with their dad, sharing in his daily routine of reviewing sports statistics in USA Today, fixing cars, and joking with the locals. 

Nothing was more important to Ken than his family. He and Karen spent countless hours together planting flowers, framing and matting pictures, preparing desserts for family competitions, and shopping for the best “worst” gifts for the annual Pudenz Christmas gathering. Ken was an exceptional cook and could throw a tire on the grill and make it taste like filet mignon. Ken also had a strong passion for ice cream (there’s no bad ice cream), card games, Kansas City Chiefs football, and most of all, St. Louis Cardinals baseball. 

Ken is survived by his soulmate of 60 years, Karen, and their children: Kevin (Carla) Pudenz, Kerry (Chris) Pudenz, Kathy (Todd) Hezeau, Kris (Jason) Wilcoxson, and Karla (Gary) Evans; 10 grandchildren: Kyle, Michelle, Lindsey (Brian), Jordan (Leah), Kelsey, Kailyn, Karter, Kendahl, Kolton, and Kenton; and one great-grandson, Samuel. Ken is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Thelma, Paul, Walt, Marion, Alice, Irma, Art, and Fred. 

Friends will be received on Wednesday, September 28, from 2 to 3 p.m. at St. Thomas More Newman Center in Columbia, Missouri, with a memorial mass immediately following. The family requests that friends dress casually and wear red to honor Ken’s love of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Coyote Hill, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or a charity of the donor’s choice. The family would also like to thank Ken’s dear friends Pat McGruder, Larry Wilcoxson, and Nancy Wilcoxson for their years of love and support.

Go rest high on that mountain, dad. Your work on earth is done.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nilson-Millard Cremation and Burial Center, 5611 E. St Charles Road, Columbia, MO 65202, (573) 474-8443. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.nilsonfuneralhome.com.