Buehler, a three-year veteran of the NBL and the oldest known living professional basketball player, died last April at the age of 99.
Kenneth Buehler, age 99, of Arbor Vitae passed away on Thursday, April 18 at Friendly Village nursing home in Rhinelander.He is survived by daughter Barbara (George),daughter Patricia (Frank), son Robert, grandchildren Justin Shetler, Maya Flores, Magdelena Flores, Melanie Rasmussen (Derek), Steven Cyra (Sydney), great grandchildren Deanna Flores, Michael Flores, Michaela Flores, Emmanuel Silvera, Luke Rasmussen and great great granddaughter Giselle Solis.
In addition to his wife, Jeannette, he was predeceased by his brothers Harold and Earl Buehler and his sister Virginia Lyons.
Ken was born in Edgar, Wisconsin on November 19, 1919. When his parents, Charles and Gerda Buehler, lost their dairy farm during the depression, the family moved into town and Ken loved living close to the gymnasium where he played basketball with his brothers.
Ken continued playing basketball while attending Milwaukee State Teachers College (now UWM) and then played basketball professionally with the Sheboygan Redskins. Ken was named Rookie of the Year for the National Basketball League in 1943, and in 1974 was named to UWM’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
World War II interrupted Ken’s basketball career when he enlisted in the Navy.He married his sweetheart Jeannette just before he pushed off to fight the Japanese in the Pacific. As 2nd lieutenant, Ken was 2nd in command of the USS Harris that carried 2000 men. Ken was later awarded the Bronze star.
The GI bill enabled Ken to go to dental school at Marquette Dental School in Milwaukee and he practiced dentistry in Menomonee Falls for over 35 years. When he wasn’t seeing patients, Ken kept busyraising three children and playing golf. At age 55, he won the Wisconsin State Dental golf tournament, besting a 30 something rival in sudden death.
When Ken retired, he and Jeannette moved to South Palm Beach, Florida joining Jeannette’s sister and brother and their spouses. And later they were joined by daughter, Barbara. In 2015, he moved back to Wisconsin to live with his daughter, Patsy. Ken enjoyed golfing into his eighties and fishing and biking well into his nineties. At 98 he still frequently rode his 3 wheel bicycle for 2 to 3 miles.
Ken was a wonderful, cheerful and generous man loved by friends and family. He was “never better” until the end.
A celebration of life ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 15 at Nimsgern Funeral Home, 1025 Margaret Street, Woodruff, WI. There will be a 5:00 welcome and a 5:30 service with a light supper to follow.
Donations in memory of Ken may be made to the UCC church he and Jeannette attended in Florida, First Congregational Church of Lake Worth, 1415 N K Street, Lake Worth, FL 33460.
Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com. Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family.
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