Kenneth W Gillis

Kenneth Gillis, age 87, a resident of Spooner, died on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Essentia- St. Mary’s Medical Center after a brief illness.

Kenneth was born on March 5, 1938, in St. Paul, Minnesota to parents William and Isabel (Roberts) Gillis.  As a child, the family moved to Zion, Illinois, where he attended and graduated from Zion Benton High School.  He then served in the US Army, which took him throughout the United States and to Germany during his enlistment.  After his discharge, he moved to Kenosha and began working for American Motors Company, which would become part of Chrysler Motors.  Kenneth was united in marriage to Karen Palmer, and although later divorced, 3 children were born to this union.  In 1991, Kenneth retired after working 30 years at AMC/ Chrysler, he moved to Spooner.  He spent his time working part time at the ICO in Trego, and at K-Mart in Rice Lake.  The remainder of his time was spent fishing, playing golf, putzing with projects, woodworking, but most of all spending time with his grandkids.

 Kenneth is survived by his daughter Kelly (Tim) Leiting, son Kent (Michelle) Gillis, 5 grandchildren: Antonia, Justin, Alex, Brittany, Tony, 8 great grandchildren, 5 great- great grandchildren, sister Helen Sibiski, and brother Thomas (Donna) Gillis.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents, son Keith Gillis, sister Irene Jorgensen, and brother-in-law Richard Sibiski.

Graveside services with Military Honors will be held at a later date at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery near Spooner.

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