Kenneth J. Close, Jr. "Jim", age 81, of Appleton, WI, passed away on Wednesday June 19, 2024, at Cherry Meadows following a long battle with MDS.  He was born on December 21, 1942, in Appleton, WI, the son of the late Kenneth Close, Sr., and Mary (Gallea) Close.   He married Ellen Schabow on October 8, 2022, at Faith Lutheran Church in Appleton, WI.

He worked at Appleton Papers in Combined Locks as a millwright and later as a supervisor.  He loved horses and owned a wide variety for many years...ranging from Shetland ponies to quarter horses to Clydesdales.  He built a replica of the Budweiser wagon which he took through the Appleton Christmas parade pulled by four of his Clydesdales.  He retired after 40 years and built a beautiful home on 40 acres in Watersmeet, MI.  He loved spending time outdoors and was always working on a project.  He especially enjoyed house building projects and helped a lot with John & Lisa's home in Lakewood and was looking forward to seeing Mike & Bobbie's future home in Townsend being built.

He loved spending time up north with his family and going for trail rides on his UTV "Ralph".  Upgrading "Ralph" was something he greatly enjoyed as well.  He was always thinking about what else he could do to customize it to make it his.

Music was a big part of his life.  He enjoyed playing accordion, piano, guitar, harmonica, virtually anything he picked up he could "play by ear".  He also enjoyed singing and was part of the church choir.

He is survived by his children: Lisa (John) Wilkinson, Michael (Bobbie) Close; his wife, Ellen, and her children: Rich (Sue) Schabow, Michelle (James) Klein, Tina Schabow; Grandchildren: Cody, Caden, Carlie (Evan), and Chloe (Joseph) Close; Matthew, Joshua, and Megan Wilkinson, Christopher (Breanna), Kimberly (Nathan) and Amber, Alyssa, Nicole, Abby, Josie and Noelani.  Great-Grandchildren: Zoryna Close and Nathan, Axle and Lila Brandenburg, his siblings: Philo (Amy) Close, Charlie (Janice) Close, Yvonne (Monty) Miller, and Henry (Gail) Close, and sister-in-law: Dawn Close.  Along with nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, John, David & Joseph.

A memorial service will take place at 3 pm on Sunday, June 23, at the Brettschneider Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Daniel Thews officiating.  Friends may visit at the funeral chapel on Sunday from 1 pm till the time of service.

We'd like to thank everyone at Cherry Meadows for their loving care along with Theda Care Cancer Center.  His wish was to donate his body to Mayo Clinic for research.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society or St Jude's.