Kenneth Edward Nendza, SR

Kenneth E. Nendza Sr., 80, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026 at Javon Bea Hospital – Riverside in Rockford, Illinois. He will forever be honored in our hearts as one amazing son, brother, husband, father, father in law, grandfather, and great grandfather.

He was born on December 22, 1945 to Andrew and Mary Nendza in Marshfield, WI.

Ken proudly served in the US Army at Fort Knox in Kentucky as a cook from 1966-1968. During his service he received a National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Marksmanship Badge (Rifle).

After his service, he married his wife Claire on November 30, 1968. Following their marriage, they first resided in Lake Geneva where he worked for a construction company laying concrete and also sang and played lead guitar in a local cover band called The Renegades (featuring his brother, Chuck and his brother-in-law, Gene Sween), together they frequently played at Clair Lounge (currently Kilwins in Lake Geneva). Then they moved to Williams Bay where he became Director of Public Works for the Village, before finally settling in Delavan and obtained his Commercial Drivers License and had various trucking jobs and also teamed up with his daughter Denise to operate a small business called Tinker Man Things where he repaired and sold used lawn mowers and golf carts until 2018. He was very well known in his local community as the Tinker Man and continued tractor and small engine repair as a hobby in his retirement.

Ken is survived by his son, Kenneth (Joyce) Nendza Jr., daughter Denise (Steve) Nendza, grandson Kevin (Ashley) Nendza, grandson James Watschke, granddaughter Makenna Nendza, great granddaughter Willow Nendza, great grandson Reed Nendza: sisters, Virginia (Jack) Caceres and Bonita Jane; and sisters-in-law, Dodie Nendza, Lorretta Merten, Marjorie Heiligenthal, Marie (Gene) Sween, Patricia Dade, Maxine (James) Clausen, Peggy Nendza, Virginia Frederick, brothers-in-law, Dave Schuler, Marvin (Sharon) Kinney, William Kinney, Harvey Kinney, and Jeffrey (Jayne) Kinney. Along with his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his wife Claire, sister, Mary Ann Herber; brother, Andrew Nendza Jr.; brother, Charles Nendza; brothers-in-law, Roy Hetzel; Paul Herber; Richard Heiligenthal, Edger Merten and Ken Dade; sisters-in-law Tammy Kinney, and Annette Schuler.

During Ken’s time here with us on earth he grew very deep roots within his community, and made a deep impact on the lives of many. He lived an amazing full life filled with the love of family and cherished friendships. He will be truly missed by many. 

A celebration of life will be held in his honor. We will up that information at a later date.