Kenneth D. Thibado Sr.

Kenneth Dale Thibado Sr., age 77, passed away peacefully Monday, April 6th, 2026, with his loving family by his side.

He was born in Menomonie, WI to Doris (Edwards) and Wayne Sr. Thibado on March 22, 1949. Ken grew up on the family farm, attended the Dunnville School, Downsville Elementary, was very active in FFA while in High School. He graduated from Menomonie High School in 1967. Ken continued education at CVTC in Eau Claire as a diesel mechanic.

Ken worked for Myron Smith building silos, Presto Corporation, and had a variety of jobs. In 1966 he met Sharon (Markham) and they married on August 21st, 1971. Ken also helped haul milk for his father-in-law, Joe Markham, before returning to his passion as a Dairy Farmer with his in-laws. Ken and Sharon raised three boys on the family farm, Ken Jr, Kevin, and Chris. Ken was active with the Menomonie FFA participating in many trips while Ken Jr. and Chris were in FFA. Ken passed along his knowledge of mechanics to Kevin, and the two made many repairs on tractors and machinery on the farm. In later years, Ken was very active with his grandkids and their 4H and FFA projects. He was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus and St Joseph’s Catholic Church for many years. Ken was a strong and hard worker who looked forward to supper with the family every night.

Ken and Sharon divorced in 1998 but continued their friendship and co-parenting throughout the years. Ken then bought his beloved Kenworth Semi Tractor and fulfilled his dream; over the road trucking around the United States. He started working for Quality Transportation in 2001 racking up over 1.4 million safe miles and retired after 16 ½ years with the company. Ken also received recognition for 15 years of safe miles with Great West and was on his way to his 16th when he retired after hauling his last load on December 13th, 2017.

He couldn’t just sit home though, so Ken got a part time job working at Blacks Valley Ag in the summertime. He was the only driver that was allowed to have his dog Megan with him. Ken enjoyed working with all the people there, especially Cyndi.

Another one of Ken’s Passions was riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle, where he participated in many rides for Veterans. He also made trips from Downsville to Rapid City, SD and Sturgis with his Harley. If there was a chance Ken could take his bike out, he took it. Ken also liked to snowmobile and participated in many trips out west as well as up north riding with his family and friends. Ken had a passion for going to the family cabin in the Cable Area and spending time there, grilling out for everyone and going on ATV rides. He loved traveling around the neighborhood on his golf cart.

Ken enjoyed helping Ken Jr. on the family farm, making trucking runs for Kevin whenever he could, and hauling grain in the fall. Ken enjoyed cutting wood with Chris and helping him out whenever he could. Ken was the father that was always there to help out his boys in any way that he could, no matter when you called him, he dropped what he was doing and came to help them and was so proud of them all.

For many years Ken enjoyed going to Country Jam, and Cub Fest. If there was a family/friend gathering, you could count on him to be there. Ken looked forward to family gatherings, especially Christmas hosted by his sister Lynda (Don), and enjoyed every minute he could of family time.

Ken looked forward to deer hunting every year, and would provide the family with his famous Chili, and variety of HOT cheese and other snacks for the hunt. He loved processing and made a lot of snack sticks for the family.

Wherever you found Ken, it was a good time, he had the personality that would light up a room, his sense of humor and practical jokes would have everyone laughing. No matter how you knew Ken he would do anything he could for his family and friends, he was one of the most giving and caring people. His sense of humor sense of family will be truly missed by all and it was with him right to the end.

In 2025, Chris and Katelin became parents with the arrival of Grace, Ken loved becoming a grandfather again and spent as much time as he could with her. He talked about her non-stop.

Ken loved his pugs, Especially Megan, who never left his side no matter where he went, and the same became of Taz when he arrived.

Ken is survived by his three sons, Ken Jr., Kevin, and Chris (Katelin) Thibado, grandchildren, Brittany, Cody (Eden) and Hannah (Eric) Larson and Grace Thibado, Siblings, Wayne Jr. (Susan), Lynda Thibado (Don Briggs), Dawn Anderson (Gerry), former spouse Sharon (Randy) Cook, Nieces and nephews Corrine (Kevin) Clark, Kate (Sandy) VerSluis, Paul Thibado, Michelle Thibado, Jason (Ellen) Smith, Nate (April) Smith, Chuck (Ruthie) Smith, Amy (Jake) Tschirgi, Stacy and Jacob Thibado, his precious fur babies, Megan, Taz, and Gracy, special friend, Patty Wilson, former brother in law Jeff (Gail) Markham and many other relatives and friends.

Ken is preceded death by his parents, Doris and Wayne Sr. Thibado, Sisters Doris, Eva Jean and Carol, brother David (Cindy) Thibado, Nephew Joe Docter, brothers-in-law “Doc” and Avery, cousin Cathy Thibado, close Friend Freddie Wilson, former in-laws, Joseph and Eileen Markham and former brother-in-law Jerome Markham .

Visitation will be at the Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie from 4-6 on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 with a service at 6:00 p.m. A celebration of life will happen at a later date in Downsville with Internment at the River View Cemetery in Downsville.

The family would like to thank Dr. Emmy and her care team at WWH, the doctors and staff at United and Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Plum City Health Care Center, Dove Health Care, and the Marshfield Hospital doctors and staff for all the love and care they gave Ken.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com