Clayton "Ken" Werth, age 89 of Markesan, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at the Markesan Resident Home.

Ken was born in the family homestead (1871) in the town of Mackford to Frank and Bernice (Schwandt) Werth on August 12, 1926. He graduated from Markesan High School and then served his country in the  Navy where he was a radio operator serving on the U.S.S. Piedmont in Tokyo Bay at the end of World War II.  He returned to his home and began a long career in the food industry serving as a warehouse manager at Fall River Canning Company in Markesan, There he met his future wife Arlene Buchholz. They were united in marriage on June 12, 1952 at Zion Lutheran Church in Kingston. Together they shared 62 years of family joys, trials and prosperity.  Ken traveled extensively during his diverse career.  Big city acquaintances would ask him why he chose to live in the middle of nowhere, far from O'hare and far away business responsibilities.  He carried a tattered picture of Markesan snuggled in the Grand River Valley in his wallet.   He would pull out that tattered photo, show it to the inquirer and ask them "why would anybody  choose to raise a family in big city when they could do it in Markesan".  Ken was a "small town boy" with round trip flight tickets in his pocket.  He provided many moments of chuckles and giggles for his children and grandkids with numerous notes taped up around his home, often stating the obvious.  You open doors, you close doors. Be neat………….extra trays for making ice cubes………..bought at Teds 08071998……….  In his later years Ken would find amazing deals here and there that Arlene would have him put in the garage or at the curbside on Thursday.

Ken worked many years as VP of sales for the Fall River Canning Company. He was founder of a startup vegetable canner with five production facilities in central Wisconsin.  He "retired" from the vegetable packing business and went on to cofound a national institutional canned fruit and vegetable procurement and distribution business serving Sysco Foods.  He found time to act as a liaison between the Federal Dept. of Agriculture and the country of Poland in the development of food trade.  He was deeply involved in the development of a Florida citrus juice cooperative uniting small growers with national juice distributors.  Ken held office in numerous state and national canning associations.  During his life he participated in many local organizations to include his Church, the American Legion Post #282 of Markesan, Kiwanis,  Markesan School Board and various local, county, and state economic development entities.

Ken is survived by his wife Arlene and their children; Suzanne (Keith) Lambrecht, Rebecca (Tom) Wierschem, Christine (Don) Warnke, John (Diana) Werth, Frederick Werth, Timothy (Gina) Werth; 17 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter Elizabeth, brothers Karl and Kelvin Werth, and a sister Iris Klapper.