Kenneth “Ken” Paul Mahalko
Kenneth “Ken” Paul Mahalko, 82, Gilman, passed away, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at Mayo Health Systems Hospital in Eau Claire, with his family by his side.
Family was foremost for Ken.
He married Mary Lou Peil, June 19, 1970, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Bloomer.
Ken was born Sept. 6, 1942, at Victory Memorial Hospital in Stanley, to the late George and Evelyn (Hodowanic) Mahalko.
He grew up in the Huron and Gilman area, graduating in the Class of 1960 from Gilman High School. He then studied at Taylor County Teacher’s college, receiving his teaching degree. Ken taught in Sheldon, for two years, before enlisting in the U.S. Army.
Ken served in the U.S. Army from 1964-67, as an outstanding graduate of the South Eastern Signal Corps School, Fort Gordon, Georgia...the first person to graduate from there with a 100 percent score on his tests. From 1965-67, his duty was with White House communications.
He served at the White House as part of a military team that provided communications for the president, both in Washington, D.C., and on trips taken by the president.
After his tour of duty in the Army, Ken attended college at UW-Eau Claire, graduating Cum Laude, with a bachelor’s of science, elementary education, in June 1969.
Ken enjoyed a long, successful teaching career. From 1969-70, he taught in the Ladysmith system. Then, in 1972, he joined the teaching staff at Lake Holcombe School (1972-96, fifth and sixth-grade science, and 1996-99, two years of fourth grade, followed by one year of third grade).
He had an amazing number of interests, with his main focus on family. He was so proud of his three sons, Kevin, Dale and Ben.
Ken was a member of the Saint Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Boy Scouts and he enjoyed science, especially astronomy and geology, local history, farming, the Packers, snowmobiling, four wheeling, hunting and coin collecting.
He was like a “walking encyclopedia” of knowledge, with a teacher personality. Earning the Silver Beaver Award in Scouting was a highlight in his life.
Anyone who knew Ken, knew he had a heart for farming. He was an advocate of the dairy farmer, hoping for better milk prices, writing many letters to the editor and putting up a large milk price sign near the road.
He transitioned into grazing and organic farming with his son, Kevin. Mahalko Dairy earned several Quality Milk Awards from AMPI and Organic Valley.
Ken was a member of Grassworks and also the River Country Grazing Network.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years; their sons – Kevin, Gilman, Dale, Cornell, and Ben, Brookfield; one granddaughter – Kate; his siblings – Betty (Robert) Callahan, Gilman, Arlene Victory, Cornell, Earl (Diane) Stanek and Mark Stanek, both of Gilman, and Lou Ann (Dale) Dubiak, Stanley; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers – George Mahalko and Lee Stanek; sisters – Darlene and Frances Mahalko; and his foster parents – Sylvester and Lucille Stanek.
A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 1, at Saint Peter and Paul’s Church, Gilman, with the Rev. Madanu Lourdu and the Rev. Joseph Stefancin officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m., until the time of the funeral, including a Knights of Columbus honor guard and a military honor guard, with Legion members.
Burial with military honors will take place in the spring. 164938
