Kenneth Harold Neipert

Kenneth (Ken) Harold Neipert was born on May 27, 1949 in Watertown, WI. He was raised on the family farm in Helenville, WI by his parents Harold and Eleanore (Walent) Neipert. He attended St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Helenville and Lakeside Lutheran High School in Lake Mills, class of 1967. He then went on to graduate from Bethany College in 1969 and Milton College in 1972.

He held various jobs throughout his career, but it was at the Gobbler Supper Club in Johnson Creek where he met Darlene Lucht. On April 16, 1977, Ken and Darlene were married, and together they had two children, Elizabeth and Nicholaus. The family settled in Fort Atkinson, where Ken would spend the remainder of his life. Ken also worked for Jefferson County until retiring in 2011. Ken married Linda Brown on June 26, 1987, and the couple remained together until his passing, spending their years in their home on the Rock River.

Ken had a life long love affair with music, especially organ and piano. He spent the majority of his life serving as organist at St. Peter’s in Helenville, St. John’s in Whitewater and St. Paul’s in Fort Atkinson. Together he played organ for almost 60 years. He also spent decades teaching hundreds of piano students and enriching their lives by sharing his love of music.

When he wasn’t practicing organ or piano, you could find Ken puttering around his yard and gardens, sitting with friends and drinking coffee, or whipping up some spaetzle or potato pancakes. Later in life he enjoyed visiting his adult children when they moved out of state. He especially cherished his time visiting Elizabeth in Alaska and ensured he passed on much of his gardening knowledge as he could.

Ken was quick-witted with sharp sense of humor. Fittingly, he had one more trick up his sleeve, when the Lord took him home early on April Fool’s Day, April 1, 2025, after receiving tremendous care by Rainbow Hospice staff for the last seven months.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Alan Neipert. He is survived by his wife Linda, his daughter Elizabeth Neipert of Delta Junction, AK and his son Nicholaus Neipert of Madison, WI, sister Barb Koch of Green Bay, WI and numerous step children, step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek or to the music program at St. Paul’s School in Fort Atkinson. The family also requests that if Ken ever taught you piano, please play a song in his honor (don’t worry he won’t be correcting you). If you knew Ken, please raise a glass of scotch, have something sweet, preferably black licorice and if you smoke (but really you shouldn’t) light one up for him.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson. Visitation will be prior to the service starting at 9:30 AM until the time of service at the church. Ken will be laid to rest in St. Peter’s Evergreen Cemetery in Helenville, WI following the service.