Kenneth Norbert Deutscher was born September 16, 1943, in Ellis County, to the late Arnold Norbert and Georgia Irene (Groff) Deutscher. He passed away Friday, May 21, 2010, in the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital at WaKeeney, KS at the age of 66.


After attending school in Ellis and graduating from Ellis High School in 1961, he attended Kansas State University. Kenny enlisted and served in the National Guard from 1963 to 1969 with the 995th Maintenance Company. His unit was activated to duty in 1968 during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Fort Hood, TX.

On August 27, 1966, Kenny married Donna Gabel in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Ellis, KS. Kenny was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and started carrying mail in 1970. He became Postmaster at Collyer in 1996 and after thirty-two years as a federal employee, was forced to retire because of his battle with cancer.

Kenny was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree, present commander of the American Legion Moore Post #197, Kansas Mayors' Association, which he once served as president, WaKeeney Public Library Board, Library Foundation Board, Tree Board, League of Kansas Municipalities Nominating Board, First Federal Savings and Loan Board, WaKeeney Swimming Pool Committee Board, Trego-WaKeeney City Foundation Board, which he also served as president. Kenny served on the WaKeeney City Council from 1985 to 1987 and served as mayor from 1987 until 2006. During his free time, Kenny liked to repair flags, fish, do woodworking and metal work, watch football and visit with friends.

Those left to mourn his passing are his wife, Donna of WaKeeney; a son Terry Deutscher and wife, Tracey, of Solomon; two daughters, Sandy Nowlin and husband, Kenny, of WaKeeney, Gayle Switzer and husband, Alan, of Overland Park; three grandchildren, Tyler and Taylor Deutscher, and Payton Nowlin; and a sister, Wanda Deutscher of Hays.


Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Warren and David Deutscher.


Kenny had a true love of public service and dedication to the community. He lived a life full of accomplishments and unique challenges. His many hours of volunteering included helping with the building of the filming booth at WaKeeney race track, building the Go-Kart Mini Race track and operating the mini ambulance, renovation of the city offices and handicap lift for the WaKeeney City building, building and maintaining the City Tree Farm, removal and clean-up of dead trees, junk cars, and dilapidated structures around the city, beautification of the downtown street trees, including the North Pole Park, personally planting over 200 trees in the community, promoting the Avenue of Flags in the cemeteries, promoting and installing matching fences around the WaKeeney City and Christ the King Cemeteries, implementing the Iwo Jima Memorial, helping with purchasing property for a water well and recycling center for WaKeeney, was fundamental in obtaining the railroad beautification grant, helped build Frisbee Golf stands for the Scout Park, was instrumental in the arrival of the F-14 fighter plane displayed in the Eisenhower Park and helping create the current swimming pool and park which later honored his work by naming it the Kenny Deutscher Swimming Pool Park, and spending countless hours of community service for the kids in town. Kenny was most proud of his involvement in the acquisition to obtain the Veterans' Cemetery in WaKeeney. Even though life is temporary, our memories of Kenny remain permanent.

Visitation for Kenny will be 5:30 to 7:00 PM Monday, May 24, 2010 in Schmitt Funeral Home at WaKeeney. Services will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, May 25, 2010 in Christ the King Catholic Church with Father Donald Pfannenstiel officiating. Interment is in the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at WaKeeney. Fort Riley Color Guard will have military rites.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Christ the King (Parish Hall) or the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.