Kenneth Charles “Skinner” Bahl left us to be with his creator on Wednesday Aug. 24, 2022, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born on March 3, 1939, in Eastman, Wisconsin to Victor and Josephine (Lei) Bahl. He spent his childhood in Dubuque, Iowa, and Fennimore. When he was 16, he started working for his uncle, Carl Bahl, hauling canned milk and his love of hauling milk was born.
He moved to the Janesville area in 1957 and went to work for a road construction company that was building I-90 and continued to haul milk on the weekends. On February 29, 1960, Kenny’s first child, Sandra was born.
He continued to haul milk while working at the Chevrolet plant in Janesville. Eventually he became a full-time milk hauler for Huerler Brothers in Footville, WI. This is where he met and married Elaine Sveum and soon was the father of four more children: Jim, Vicki, Bonnie, and Linda.
In 1972, Ken moved his family to Fennimore and became self employed by purchasing his first bulk milk truck that hauled into Bahl Cheese Factory, owned by his cousin Steve. He operated Bahl Milk Hauling from 1972 to 1999 when he sold his trucks, ending his 43-year hauling career.
Ken was united in marriage to Marcia Kratochwill in November of 1986. He then became a father to two more daughters and Ken and Marcia started all over together. Together they ran the 2nd Shot Saloon along with Bahl Milk Hauling.
Ken was a fun-loving person who worked hard and played hard. He always had a smile on his face and something smart to say. He loved country music and dancing. Ken was extremely happy to travel to Branson, Missouri with Marcia for their 35th wedding anniversary last year. He also found great pleasure in many other activities such as tractor pulls, tractor rides, traveling to thresherees, camping, gambling, word searches, and supporting local taverns. He enjoyed scooting around town and being social.
He is survived by his loving wife, Marcia; children James “Charlie” (Mary Ann) Bahl, Tacoma, WA; Vicki Dresen, Fennimore, WI; Bonnie (Monte) Waterman, Boscobel, WI; Linda (Randy) Kahl, Mt. Vernon, WI; Krista (Brian) Kreul, Mt. Horeb, WI; and Kari (Christopher) Kratochwill, Hales Corners, WI; grandchildren Michael (Jenny) Bahl and Nathan Bahl; Jennifer Dresen, Walt (Mary) Dresen, and Joseph (Erin) Dresen; Joseph Quinn and Jake LaFoe; Matt (Rachelle) Waterman; Tyler Kahl, Mitchell (Kristin) Kahl, and Courtney (Paul) Westburg; and Derek Kreul and Kayla Kreul; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Ken was proceeded in death by his parents, daughter Sandra Campbell, son-in-law Tim Campbell, brother Lavern Bahl, sister-in-law Norma Bahl, sister LaVona Wefel, brother-in-law Jim Wefel, son-in-law Bernard Dresen, granddaughter Stacy Dresen, and brothers-in-law Lonnie Freymiller and Larry “Stretch” Freymiller.