Kenneth Carl "Bird" Thiede, of Bryant, died Monday, January 13, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was 56 years old. He was born on March 31, 1963, in Elgin, Illinois, the son of Carl Thiede of Bryant and the late Marilyn (Belott) Thiede. Ken and Linda Lubinski met at the Crandon Brush Run in 1991 and were later married on September 6, 1997, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Polar.
Ken attended Spring Valley Grade School and later graduated from Antigo High School in 1981, where he played trumpet in the marching band.
His first job was at Schremp's Drive-In in Antigo followed by Antigo Co-op Oil. In 1995 he became employed at Volm Companies as a Senior Traveling Electro-Mechanical Service Technician, a job he thoroughly enjoyed for the past 24 years. Ken was widely respected by all of his team members for his knowledge and high expectations. He was truly loved and requested by customers nationwide for his dedication to their needs. His ideals, attitude, and knowledge made all those around him strive for excellence.
Ken and Linda owned and operated Checkpoint Bar and Restaurant for 14 years. You wouldn't find Ken in the kitchen very often. Rather he was found behind the bar shaking dice, socializing with all their customers and friends. Ken knew everyone and was the reason most people stopped by. Ken and his father also operated K & C Aerial Lift LLC.
Ken was a volunteer for the town of Antigo Fire Department for 22 years and Fire Warden for the town of Price. He was a member of the Bryant Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club.
Ken lived his life to the fullest and attended the Hodag Country Music Festival for 41 years straight. While Hodag only lasts one week, Ken and the rest of the Bryant Bunch planned the details of the event throughout the entire year. He enjoyed attending Country USA, the Crandon Brush Runs, snowmobiling, traveling, camping, hunting, dancing, spending time with friends playing cards, shooting pool on the tri-county pool league for Little Hummer's bar, enjoying his grandchildren and living in what he would call, "God's Country".
Ken loved anything to do with sports and was a huge fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Wisconsin Badgers, and NASCAR.
In addition to his wife and father, Ken is survived by two sons, Michael (Buffy) Lubinski of Green Bay and Andrew Lubinski of Antigo; five grandchildren, Ashton, Nathan, Gavin, Adrianna, and Jace; three sisters, Sharon Thiede of Bryant, Cheryl (Kevin) Schedlbauer of Antigo and Dawn (Ron) Houdek of Bryant; father-in-law, Ray Trent of Appleton; mother-in-law, Mary Pouwels of New London; two brothers-in-law, John (Cheryl) Trent of New London and Jim (Rebecca) Lemke of New London; and a sister-in-law, Jennifer (Corey) Hietpas of Kaukauna; nieces, Kaitlyn Houdek and Chloe Hitz; and nephews, Aaron "Bucky" Houdek and Austin Schedlbauer. He will also be missed by many other relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 20, 2020, at 11 a.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Polar with Rev. Donald Engebretson and Rev. William Volm officiating.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 19 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Bradley Funeral Home and Monday, January 20 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established in Ken's name.
Services
Visitation
Antigo, WI 54409
Visitation
Antigo, Wisconsin 54409
Service
Antigo, Wisconsin 54409
10 people have supported the family by purchasing them flowers or gifts from the Healing Registry.
Our deepest sympathy to Linda & all of Ken’s family. We are so sorry you’ve lost such a great guy who was loved by many!
I was shocked to hear of Ken's passing. I knew him for many years all the way back to the Thirsty Cowboy. I never really hung around with him or his close friends but he was always smiling or kidding around. Will truly miss running into you.
so so sorry for your loss. I remember
working with Ken at Schremps many moons ago. He was a very likable guy! God give comfort and peace to the family, and may they find joy in all the good memories they have of Ken.
To the Thiede family,
Please accept our sincerest condolences on Ken's passing.
He was an absolutely tremendous Volm technician and all around professional person to help us with our installations & problem solving. We know borders do not distinguish between truly genuine people. I know he has left us in Prince Edward Island with some very fond memories.
God Bless & Take Care
Grant, Stephen & Donald Compton
from
Compton Bros. Inc.
Bangor Road, PEI
Bird at one of our Halloween parties. We just wish we had video of him singing karaoke with us that night. He sounded great! God Bless! You'll be missed by many and never forgotten. Linda, you're in our thoughts and prayers. Love from the Powells
So sorry to hear of the loss of a great friend from Hodag. He will be greatly missed. and to Linda and family you have our deepest sympathy. our prayers are with you. Michael and Jo Ann The Iowa Gang
My condolences to Ken's family and friends. I met Ken about 30 years ago in New Holland Pa. We were there for a New Holland equip school. We became friends real quick. Each night after the school, we hit the town and had a blast, a little too much maybe but, it was fun. I haven't seen him in about 20 years but, a couple times a year ever since I have thought of him and the fun we had. I'll never forget him. R.I.P. Old friend.
Ken Loewenhagen. Fremont Wi.
I remember getting a call that my husband and his hounds had to stay the night at check point. It was a big day of bear hunting. Plus drinking. Great times at Hodag too. My thoughts, prayers, and hugs to you Linda and family.
May God be with you during this difficult time to help you get through this! Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with you!
May God be with you during this time of your loss! Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with you!
Todd and DeAnn Thiede
So sad, Bird will be greatly missed by many. The Hodag will be missing a fixture.
Never forget Fuddfest. Bird was working back stage. About 3 in the morning my sound system fired up. The change we had on the shelf was jumping. Mary and I woke to say Birds home. Threw on some cloths and walked out the door and there he was. He created me "Hi Bob" I replied "Hi Bird, Who are all these people?" He quickly replied, "These are my friends Bob!" So we had a big party till almost dawn. Bird was a friend to all! A great guy to be around. He will be missed by all of his friends !
Gpa Ken, gma Linda and Nathan and Gavin
Kenny..known you since I was a little kid! Neighbor,Sunday School,school. So sad and shocked. You are truly one of the good ones for sure. Had so much fun at the reunions . Seeing you up snowmobiling or out and about or at a football game..loved seeing you and will miss seeing you! Linda ,my prayers are with you,you and Ken have always been good freinds to our family. So incredibly sorry. I am happy knowing Ken will be at Home with his mom and his Savior.
You’re one in a million. You made everyone in your presence feel good. Love you, man. May you look upon us and guide us. You are a special person indeed. Prayers to Linda and the Thiede family. My heart is heavy, as many people who have been blessed with your friendship.
I first met Bird when I was sneaking into North Star :) In those 38 yrs since, every time I would see him it was with a smile and a hug! Like time had never passed. I never had a chance to thank him for that...
Linda, Carl, Sharon, Cheryl, Dawn, and families~ I am so sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you all! Bird had a knack for making you feel so at ease, welcome whenever he would see you, and was a friend who kept us all close even though we have all moved on with our separate lives. May God keep you safe Bird, until we all meet again!
With deepest sympathy and much love, Beth 'Lambert' Emerich
Two tributes...better than one...thinking he’d laugh ‘with’ me! Cheers Bird!
BIRD—A force to be reckoned with, always a smile, no matter! Always game for shaking dice or just conversation, always, always a smile! Never met a stranger and always welcomed someone on the outside looking in. Rest peacefully Bird, though we know you will not wait for us to raise a little hell while you wait for us in heaven!
So sorry for your family's loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Bird—-A force to be reckoned with, no doubt. A greeting of a smile and a hug, guaranteed. Always game for bar dice or just great conversation. Here’s a man that never knew a stranger. You are loved Bird, you will be missed Bird but damn, no way in hell you will ever be forgotten! Rest peacefully until we are all up there with you raising hell in heaven!
So very sorry for your loss 🙏🙏
Our thoughts and prayers to family and friends, he will surely be missed.
Linda my prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
My condolences to the entire family and the entire community! Ken was always the first to say “hello” and give you a great big hug! I will miss his huge smile and his warm, strong hugs. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. He was a kind caring man and will be deeply missed by many
Our deepest sympathy and prayers to Ken's family. May God be with you always to help you
through this sad time and great loss. Betty, Roger and Greg Schultz
p
I first meet bird man years ago and since than he has brought joy. To our family and many others. I'm so honored to have known you and for you to have been part of our familys life. I'm still trying to come to terms with your passing as it seems so surreal. I always tried to cock you off but would always come back with something so good it left me speechless. We love you bird and thank you for all the memories. We will never forget you!!!
Thank you Ken for being a part of our lives. Thank you for loving all those babies, thank you for loving our daughter. Thank you for being the sort of man that everyone looked up to. Thank you for all the laughs, and including us all in your life. Pam & I will miss you dearly, and will never forget you.
To Linda and Family
I'm so saddened by the passing of Byrd. I only saw Byrd 2-3 times a year but always at the Hodag where you could ALWAYS find him smiling. My heart hurts for Linda and the kids and really everyone who knew Byrd. Stay strong and smile Byrd would only want us to Celebrate his life. He was an incredible human that just made every one better bc he knew them. See you when I get there buddy. We're all gonna miss you!!!! Chad Olsen
So sorry for your loss thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family
So sorry
Bill And Laurie Scheurer
Buffy, Mike, Linda, Andy and little ones. There aren’t enough words possible to express our sorrow for this loss. Ken was an amazing man. We love you all.
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