Dr. Kenneth Munkres

Madison

Dr. Kenneth Munkres, 89, of Madison, WI passed away on January 19th 2021 at the UW Hospital in Madison. He was born November 11, 1931 in Oberlin, KS, the son of Shurl and Sada Munkres.  He graduated in 1949 from Gem High School in Gem, KS. He did various jobs, including pig farming, and assisted his father on their wheat farm for three years before attending Kansas State College in Manhattan, Kansas where he received his BS in Agriculture with High Honors, 1956, and MS in 1958. He then attended Yale University where he majored in Molecular Biology and Genetics. He received his PhD from Yale in June 1964 and married Marilyn (Nuzzo) Munkres in August 1964. He was a post doctoral fellow at Stanford 1964-1966 before working at Los Alamos Research Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM.

In 1968 he was offered a position at the University of Wisconsin with a joint appointment with the College of Agriculture and Molecular Biology.  His focus was research and mentoring graduate students.  He was known as a pioneer in the research on free radicals in various organisms which lead to successful research in humans.  He presented the results of his research at various conferences in the US and was invited to be a speaker at several international conferences including Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Australia.  He had the results of his research published in several scientific journals.

Following his retirement, as Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics, he focused on his hobbies including restoring AMC Spirits and acquiring an AMC Rambler. Ken was a talented accordionist who played over the radio station in Colby, KS and a local polka band.  When he moved to Wisconsin he played with numerous bands and even had a trio of his own.  He was also a member of the Max Drexler Bavarian Brass Band in New Glarus WI and played all over southern Wisconsin and as a soloist at various nursing homes. He loved old time music and together with Ann attended many Oktoberfests and other music events. He enjoyed working outdoors tending his lawn and garden.

Ken was a long-time member of Unity of Madison Church where he was a volunteer on the garden team and enjoyed the Hospitality Hour on Sundays.   He loved being in nature and his favorite place was the Arboretum sitting quietly on a bench overlooking the whole area.

Ken is survived by sons, Kevin Munkres of Austin, TX, Darryl Munkres of Madison, WI, brother, Ward Munkres of Colby, KS, and granddaughter Courtney Munkres who is completing her BS in the UK. He is further survived by his former wife Marilyn Munkres of Colorado Springs, and former wife Ann Zenner of Madison who has continued to be his support for many years. Also step children, Andrew Porter, Erin Ocelotl Montes (Felipe) and Laurie Kessler (Clifford) step grandchildren, Jennifer and Andrew Porter, Fernando and Isabel Ocelotl, and Megan Kessler.

He was preceded in death by his parents Shurl Munkres and Sada Munkres (Thompson).

The families would like to thank Rev. Evin Wilkins for his spiritual support and the staff of the Trauma Life Support Center at University Hospitals and the Palliative Care Unit for their skill and kindness.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the UW Arboretum

Memorial checks (payable to the UW–Madison Arboretum) can be mailed to:UW–Madison Arboretum Attn: Erica Lee  1207 Seminole Hwy Madison, WI 53711

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3325 E. Washington Ave.

Madison (608) 249-6666

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