Kenneth Lee Etchison II, age 83, of Rice Lake, WI, was promoted to glory and went to be with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 26, 2025 in Rice Lake. He was born on May 27, 1942 in Lansing, Michigan to Dr. Kenneth “Doc” and Jeanette (Watkins) Etchison.

Ken lived in Scottville, Michigan and graduated from Scottville High School and also from Michigan State University in 1963. He was married to Marlene Marie Fortier on September 14, 1963 and then moved to upstate New York in 1964. Ken was employed by IBM in Endicott, New York as a computer programmer and also in Germany from 1983-1986. He was very active in Boy Scouts of America at multiple levels of leadership in New York, Germany and in Wisconsin. They moved to Rice Lake in 1998 and was employed by Rice Lake Weighing Systems until his retirement in 2017. Ken liked going to National State Parks, thrift store shopping, rock polishing, star gazing and candid photography. He attended Northern Lakes Community Church in Cumberland, WI.

He is survived by his wife, Marlene Etchison; 7 children, Michael Etchison, Karen (Neil) Beatty, Sandra (Erik) Henderson, Patricia Etchison, Rob (Tabitha) Etchison, Eva Etchison, and Tim Etchison (Teri Moore); a daughter-in-law, Cheryl Etchison; 15 grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; a step great grandchild; his stepmother, Barb Etchison; 2 brothers, Jim (Mary) Etchison and George (Char) Etchison; a sister, Barb Wilson; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Etchison and Jeanette Dunivin; a son, Christopher Etchison.

Ken slipped away quietly, much like he lived. He never drew attention to himself but was always generous with both his time and money, simply giving without expectation of return or recognition. Whether it was giving someone a ride or taking them out to eat, paying for a tank of gas or a month’s rent. He found a way to bless someone personally.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you look for opportunities to do the same for someone.

Last Update: Jul 28, 2025 7:23 am CDT