Kenneth "Ken" James Muehlfelder

Kenneth “Ken” James Muehlfelder, 72, Freeport, passed away on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 6, 1951, in Chicago, the son of Fred and Nerieda (Rieker) Muehlfelder. He was a graduate of Grant Community High School, class of 1969 and attended the College of Lake County as part of the first class of the new college. Ken married Dianne Roberts in Freeport on April 20, 2002. He was a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where he ushered until his illness. He was an Elder, Chairman of the Personnel board, and a past Chairman of the congregation. He was one of the founders of Immanuel Lutheran Church’s LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) that was a group that assisted people recovering after events such as hurricane Katrina, the tornado in Washington, IL, Joplin, MO and many other places. He spent over 2 decades in the auto industry as both a Finance Manager and a Sales Manager at several new car dealerships in the Rockford area. Ken then became a licensed mortgage lender and over the next 22 years helped thousands achieve the American dream of home ownership working at Alpine Bank and then at Associated Bank where he was when he retired on December 31, 2019. Giving back to others was very important to Ken. He was one of the original 3 people that founded the local Keep America Beautiful chapter now known as KNIB (Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful). Ken was a longtime member of the Rockford Jaycees where he was a Past President and a Jaycees of Illinois Senator. He was member and past Commander of the Rockford Power and Sail Squadron and enjoyed many days working with Habitat for Humanity building houses and volunteering at the Discovery Center, Rock House Kids and the Rockford Food Pantry. Ken was a friend of Bill W for over 37 years.

Survived by his loving wife, Dianne; his children, Michelle (Jeff) Ranken, Damian Tate, Kenneth (Becky) Muehlfelder, Corrie Weidel, Cyle (Alivia Peikert) Roberts, and Cathy Roberts; his special niece, Jennifer Picha; his grandchildren, Samantha, Benjamin, Abigail, Dane (Abby), Lea, Karsyn, Delaney, Collin, Kenadie, Payton, Hunter, Nash and Cruz; his great-grandchildren, Mayzie and baby “O”; his siblings, Fred (Lois) Muehlfelder, Susan (Robert) Dubs, Thomas (Sandra) Muehlfelder, Daniel (Kristin) Muehlfelder, Mark (Nancy) Muehlfelder and Barbara (Kevin) Pietschman; many nieces and nephews; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jeri Ellis, Tommy Weidel, Judy Weidel, Raymond (Kelly) Weidel and Carl (Jill) Weidel. Predeceased by his parents, his daughter-in-law, Claudia Tate  and his sisters-in-law, Kathy Willis and Rhonda Muehlfelder.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, August 25, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1993 W. Church St., Freeport, IL. Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL and from 9:30 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. on Friday at the church. Share online condolences at wwwfitzgeraldfh.com.