Kenneth D. Genthe, 73, Syracuse, died Sunday, April 20, 2008 at Bryan West in Lincoln. He was born July 7, 1934 on a farm in Unadilla to Frank J. and Melinda J. (Weber) Genthe. Kenneth was known to many as Buck.

Kenneth was a 1952 Syracuse graduate. He joined the Army in Nov. 1957 and served until Oct. 1959, during which time he was stationed in Germany. He returned to Syracuse and did bulldozing for Engelbrecht Construction. In 1972, Kenneth bought into Stubbendick Implement and eventually took over full ownership. He enjoyed his business and the people he met because of it. Bored with retirement, Kenneth went to work for the Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department until 1997.

Kenneth married Linda Bassett on January 7, 1983. He was finally able to legally adopt her daughter Karri on March 9, 1991, making their family complete. They lived in Syracuse as well as "the Cabin" by Otoe. In 2004, Kenneth and Linda retired fully to town in Syracuse.

Over the years, Kenneth was very involved in the community. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. While in business, he was active with the Chamber of Commerce and was a past president. He was active with FBLA traveling and sponsoring scholarships. Kenneth even received FBLA's National Business Person of the Year in 1981. He volunteered with the Syracuse Fire Department and retired after 20 years. For many years, he would host a Hog Roast for the Syracuse Rescue Squad in appreciation for their efforts. In 1990, he was Burgermeister of Germanfest. Kenneth and Linda were beginning instrumental members of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Palmyra before transferring membership back to Lutheran Memorial Church in Syracuse.

Kenneth enjoyed woodworking, reading Louis Lamar books, and traveling, especially to his yearly Army reunion. In the last year, he found great joy being with his grandsons.

Surviving are his wife, Linda, Syracuse; daughter Karri and Nick Henderson, Maryville, MO; grandchildren Dayn Kenneth and Logan Ike; sister, Arva Stillahn, Syracuse; brother Richard and wife Margaret; brother-in-law Dennis Bassett and wife Pat, Prescott, AZ; sister-in-law Kay Othmer and Don, Tecumseh; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many wonderful friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law, Donald Stillahn and Ronald Bassett.

Funeral Services will held on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Syracuse, Nebraska with Rev. Paul Coen and Rev. Mike Widner officiating.

Burial was in the Park Hill Cemetery in Syracuse, Nebraska.

VISITATION: Tuesday, April 22nd from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M.
Wednesday, April 23rd from 9:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home.Visitation will resume Wednesday from 5:00 P.M. until the prayer service at the Church.

Public Prayer Service: 7:30 P.M. Wednesday, April 23rd – Luther Memorial Church.

Memorials are suggested to the Syracuse Volunteer Fire Department that he loved.

Fusselman-Wymore Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE 269-2441
Condolences to www.fusselmanwymore.com