Kenneth Lester Poutre, 67, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 31, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 4, 2017 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church with the Rev. David Daniel officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be one hour prior to services Saturday at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Kenneth was born October 21, 1950, in Ottawa, to Lester J and Lucile (Streul) Poutre. He married Susan Swenhaugen, whom he met in 1967 while attending Ottawa Twp High School, and married March 10, 1973 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Ottawa. He graduated in 1968 from Ottawa Twp High School. After high school, he attended IL Valley Community College and Northern IL University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting/Business Management. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Roselle, IL and Zion Lutheran Church, Ottawa, IL. Ken worked in Business Management/Accounting starting as Owner/Operator of Golden Bear Family Restaurant, Peru, IL, Oogies Restaurant, Streator. In 1980, he and his family relocated to Western suburbs of Chicago working for Walgreen’s Corp., Deerfield IL, McDonald’s and Portillo’s Corporation , OakBrook, IL until 2000 when he was inflicted with a TBI due to a riding bicycle accident resulting with a 17 year courageous battle of dementia/Alzheimer’s. He attended IL Valley Brain Injury Clubhouse, Streator IL for 4 years where he enjoyed many days of music therapy, found a new hobby of art and the many friends he met while learning to navigate the challenges of a TBI.
Ken is survived by his wife of 44 years, Susan, two daughters, Katherine (Daniel) Fowler, Mansfield, OH and Kristina (Anthony) Jacobazzi, Jupiter, FL, 3 grandchildren, Alaina, Rocco and Nikki Jacobazzi of Jupiter, FL; one brother, William (Marilyn) Poutre, Utica, IL, 2 nephews, Adam (Becky) Poutre, Ottawa, IL, Tyler (Jenny) Poutre, Lynnfield, MA, brother-in-law, William (Karen) Swenhaugen , one niece, Ingrid (Michael)Cushing, Ottawa, IL, great nieces, Emerson Poutre, Emma Cushing, great nephews, Ethan Poutre, Carter Poutre and Luke Cushing and his best little girl, Ms. Buttons.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Lucile (Streul) Poutre, his sister, Judith (Donald) Trempalla, his in-laws, Arvid and Ione (Hall)Swenhaugen and 1 nephew, Thomas Swenhaugen.
Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church or to the family.
Kenneth has been laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.