Kenneth Bistram

Kenneth Allen Bistram, age 75, of Grantsburg, WI, passed away unexpectedly Friday morning, August 21, 2015. Ken was born in Grantsburg on August 8, 1940, a son of the late William and Ione (Nordstrom) Bistram. He attended local public schools and was a 1958 graduate of Grantsburg High School. On April 25, 1959, Kenneth married Diane J. Nowak at St. John’s Catholic Church in Webster, WI. They lived in Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Circle Pines, MN, and then returned to Grantsburg in 1966. Ken and Diane also had a campsite on the Clam Flowage for 25 years, and most recently had a campsite on the Yellow River in Danbury. Ken worked initially at Dalton Gear Company in Minneapolis. He also had been employed at McNally Industries in Grantsburg, Sykes Meats, Upper Lakes Foods, and New York Life Insurance Company. In 1986, Ken joined the staff of Parker-Hannifin Corp. in Grantsburg, and was employed there 18 years, retiring in 2004. For many years, Ken was involved with coaching youth sports, particularly Little League Baseball and youth basketball. He was a member of various men’s bowling leagues over the years, and was a former member of Grantsburg Lions Club. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, ice fishing, his pontoon, time spent with the grandkids and meat raffles. He could never pass up a "Good Deal" and loved to shop garage sales looking for cast iron pans. Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Beatrice, in infancy; a brother-in-law, Milton Aronson; and a sister-in-law, Faye Nowak. Ken is survived by his wife, Diane; five children: Ken (Penny) Bistram, Jr., Shari (Scott) Harter, David Bistram, Chuck (Pam) Bistram, and Brian (Beth) Bistram; ten grandchildren: Aaron and Adam (Kayla) Bistram; Tanya (Paul) Carlson and Tavia Harter; Josh Bistram; Brad, Brett and Matthew Bistram; and Brent Braunschweig and Brittney Bistram; and five great-grandchildren: Kylie, Haley, Zachary, Grady, and Arianna. He is also survived by four siblings: Art (Pauline) Bistram, Eleanore Aronson, Jerry Bistram (Ann), and Merlin Bistram; brother-in-law, Bob Nowak; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann (Russell) Peterson; and many nieces and nephews. The memorial service for Kenneth A. Bistram will be conducted at 6:00 pm (visitation and fellowship from 3:00 to 6:00 pm), Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Grantsburg, WI, with Deacon Stan Marczak officiating, and music provided by Kathy Tweet. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Webster-Grantsburg-Siren. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.