Obituary: Kenneth Stettner
April 26, 1944 – December 23, 2023
Kenneth “Ken” Richard Stettner died peacefully on Saturday December 23, 2023 at home with loved ones.
Ken (Stick or Pops) was born on April 26, 1944, in Elgin, IL to parents Lucy (Wainwight) Stettner and Benjamin Joseph Stettner. Ken was close to his two brothers and their families, Roger, and Gary Stettner. Ken attended Elgin High School and then Elgin Community College, A.A., 1965; University of Denver, B.A., 1967. Roger and Gary do remember that he was an active and competitive swimmer and wrestler at the Elgin YMCA. He had a beater VW beetle that he traveled back and forth with. He had a lot of friends and was always out and about with them.
In Colorado in 1970 he passed the bar and then tried cases in the following forums: 1970, U.S. District Court, District of Colorado; 1974, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit; 1980, U.S. Supreme Court.
Ken was the founding partner in the law firm of Stettner, Miller and Cohn.
In 1969 at the University of Denver, he met his future wife, Betsy Stettner, who was also enrolled there. They married in the summer of 1969. Betsy had a strong business sense and paid great attention to detail; she worked at a brokerage firm directly after graduation, was St. Anne’s Episcopal School’s Business Manager, and before her retirement, she was the Bookkeeper for American Arbor Care for 15 years. For many years, Betsy was a devoted member of the Junior League of Denver serving dutifully as Treasurer and in other roles. Betsy passed away prior to Ken on September 28, 2017, from ALS.
One of Ken’s greatest joys was being surrounded by his family. Sons Richard, Robert, and Andrew gave him ten spirited grandchildren, which includes three sets of twins.
Ken will always have a piece of his heart in New Hampshire on Lake Winnipesaukee. Betsy’s family acquired a lake home in 1953, accessible only by boat, and where he would spend time with family during the summers relaxing and enjoying a very special place. As the years passed Ken would enjoy boys’ trips out to the lake with his son Richard and grandchild Jack. On these trips they would go enjoy their favorite places such as Beans and Greens, Patrick’s Pub, Hart’s Turkey Farm, and the Dockside Grill. Ken loved these times as his sense of humor was remarkably similar to his grandson’s, Jacks. They would sit around for hours watching funny videos, laughing, telling jokes, and poking fun at each other.
Ken and Betsy would also love to take Richard, Robert, and Andrew away for the holidays during their high school years. These would include trips mainly to Hawaii and one year to Mexico. These trips would be done with family and friends but would allow the family to relax and enjoy the holidays together.
A few more of Ken’s favorite things would be to take the family out to breakfast on the weekends-usually to Village Inn, The Original Pancake House or to Le Peep. He also loved to have anyone come down and join him for lunch during the work week. At one time Richard’s office was across the street from Ken’s and they would have a weekly lunch. Ken would be known to sit in the hotel restaurant during vacations and wait for each family member to come down and he would eat with them. We all would tease him that he was grazing all morning.
Ken was also passionate about reading newspapers and books.
Most of Roger’s memories come from visits to Denver on vacations. He had great times with Ken and Betsy and the kids. On Roger’s most recent visit with Ken was when we went to Cental City and did a mine tour and train ride. The following day we went to Blackhawk introducing Ken to slot machines and gambling. He had a great time and often wanted to go back. Roger will remember his great and sometimes strange sense of humor. We enjoyed teasing and harassing each other. He will be missed.
Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Lucile and Benjamin Stettner and his wife, Betsy Stettner. Ken is survived by his sons, Richard and Jill Stettner, Robert and Amy Stettner, and Andrew and Sarah Stettner; brothers, Roger and Shirley Stettner, and Gary and Leslie Stettner; dear friend, Petey Webster and Jetta Baker, and other cousins; as well as his ten grandchildren, Jack, Chloe, Willy, Henry, Owen, Tula, Cooper, Riley, Wyatt and Duke; and many nieces and nephews.
Ken’s ashes will be spread at a later date and a location will be shared. In lieu of flowers, Ken requested that memorial donations be made to the ALS Colorado or the Lake Winnipesaukee Association.
Family and friends are encouraged to sign Ken’s online guest book and share memories and/or photos.
