Kenneth William Sterbenz was born August 6, 1949, in Wichita, Kansas, to William V. and Veva Mae Souders-Sterbenz. Through the age of 11, he lived in Medicine Lodge, moving to El Dorado in 1960. On June 21, 1969 Kenneth married Bessie Marie Johnson at Holy Name Catholic Church in Winfield. Kenneth served for 6 years as a Nuclear Machine Mate in the United States Navy starting in 1971 and was stationed on the USS Enterprise in the Mediterranean Sea. After an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of New York. Following graduation, he began a career in Health Physics. August 1990, Kenneth joined the Dionex Company, currently known as ThermoFisher Scientific, as Service Representative, officially retiring December 19, 2022. This position offered many opportunities for travel. The family often enjoyed these trips with Dad and Mom. Highlights of travel for Kenneth were trips to Moscow and Amsterdam. The family frequently moved to 8 states, with children born in 4 different states. Boy Scouts of America was his true passion. He was honored to serve as Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and trainer on both unit and council levels. Highlighting this time was a position as Unit Commissioner for Pack and Troop 222 when his grandson joined Boy Scouts. Kenneth worked with Wichita Diocese to implement the Religious Award program for the El Dorado area. His participation continued in Girl Scouts when he was blessed with granddaughters. As a devoted grandpa, he assisted with woodworking projects and sponsoring the annual tea parties. Kenneth was most grateful for his marriage to Bessie, his soul mate of 53 years. The four children from that union were the greatest achievement of his lifetime. As his children made him a grandfather, the grandchildren became the light of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, his only daughter, Ann Marie, on June 2, 2010, and his sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Rodney Stevens January 2, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Bessie of El Dorado, Kenneth William II of El Dorado, Michael Wesley and his wife Courtney of Hutchinson, and Joseph Frederick of El Dorado. Five grandchildren including Joshua Todd and his husband Ryan of Pine Grove, Louisiana; Joseph Fredrick II, Krystal Marie, Julie Ann, of El Dorado; Isabella Jane Elizabeth of Hutchinson. He is also survived by an adopted daughter Chantel and her husband, Chet Chastain, of Tulsa, OK, sister Wanda Sterbenz of Prairie Village, Kansas, and multiple nieces and nephews. Friends gathered with the family from 5-7pm on Monday, January 2, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with a Vigil Service at 7pm. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, January 3 at 11am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Leukemia Association or to the American Diabetes Association. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory at www.carlsonkirbymorris.com.