DR. KENNETH JOHN DEVRIES

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DR. KENNETH JOHN DEVRIES ages 51 Madison Kenneth J. Devries, MD passed from this life on Friday, March 18, 2005 at The Don and Marilyn Hospicecare Centre in Fitchburg, after a two year battle with lung cancer. Despite Ken's personal adversity he continued to face life with his characteristic tenacity, courage, humour and compassion for others. Ken never waivered in his determination to try and overcome his disease. Ken was born on December 30, 1953 in Winnipeg, Canada to Jacob and Mildred Devries. He grew up in East St. Paul, MB. He had a love of gardening, which he learned from his parents. He won contests as a youth for growing vegetables. Ken graduated from the University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Science in 1974. He married Joanne Thiessen on September 29, 1979 and they had recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. He attended medical school at the University of Manitoba, specializing in family practice medicine. Ken and his family moved to Madison in October of 1985, where he started his medical practice in Waunakee. He practiced at the Waunakee Clinic for 18 years. He loved the community, his patients and especially his dedicated staff. His staff and patients have truly missed him and his dedication and commitment to them all. Ken's other true love was hockey. He played in his old timers league until his illness. He also coached youth hockey with Madison West Flyers, coaching his son Mark's teams. He was very proud of Mark playing on the Memorial Hockey High School team. Ken also loved fishing and boating. He made a yearly journey to Lake of the Woods to catch walleyes. He loved life and his family, taking great pride in his children's accomplishments. He lived to see both children graduate from college and high school in May of 2003. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife Joanne; daughter Laureen and son Mark; his mother Mildred of Winnipeg, Canada; his brother Keith (Dorothy) and his children, Julie, Lisa, Tom and Dan; he also leaves his mother-in-law Francess; and brother-in-law Bob (Deanna) and children, Brooke, Blake and Georgia. Ken was proceded in death by his father Jacob and father-in-law Jacob Thiessen. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 23 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 5763 Cty Trunk Q, Waunakee. Friends may call at the Winn Funeral Home in Waunakee on Tuesday, March 22 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. The family wishes to thank Dr. Hei and staff, Dr. Mehta and the radiology staff at U.W. The family also wishes to thank the Hospice Staff for the wonderful care given to Ken in the last weeks. The family also wishes to thank Ken's colleagues and friends who continued to call and support his family with meals, rides, laughter and love. Memorials may be made to Dr. Mehta Research Fund at UW Cancer Centre, 600 Highland Ave., Room K-4-658, Madison WI 53792-6164 or to the Hospicecare Foundation Inc. at 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. WINN FUNERAL HOME 5785 HWY Q, Waunakee, WI

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 21, 2005