Sayler, Kenneth (Ken) Leonard 1926-2013

SAYLER, RODGERS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/20/2014 at 07:04:58

Kenneth (Ken) Leonard Sayler

Kenneth (Ken) Leonard Sayler passed away Dec. 28,
2012 in Ft. Collins, Colo., at the age of 86. Services were held Jan. 26 in Ft. Collins, Colo.

Ken was born in Phelps, Wisc. on Jan. 15, 1926. He was the oldest of three boys. At the age of two, his family moved to Eagle River, Wisc. where he spent the first nine years of his life, By the age of ten, his dad traded their modest home in Eagle River for a car, and they headed to Ripon, Wisc. This is where Ken went to school through the ninth grade, then established a life for himself. Ken drove stock cars on the dirt tracks of Wisc. He was quite well known and a very successful driver.
His racing career ended abruptly with a near fatal car wreck on his way to a race. If this had not happened it is said that he probably would have gone on to be a household name like Dale Earnhardt.

He married Phyllis and together they raised three children, Kenneth (Scooter) Sayler, Jr., Tom Sayler and Sandy Sayler.

He also worked as an entrepreneur and owned his own filling station and mechanical garage: Ken then went on to be a long time employee of International Harvester, both in Wise. and Ariz., for some 38 years. Ken worked for many years as the state inspector for new IH trucks. He enjoyed his job very much, especially working at the proving grounds in Phoenix, Ariz. His love for testing heavy equipment on the proving grounds was evidenced by the many memories that were shared with his loved ones long afterwards. Phillis passed away and later Ken met Betty Rodgers. After a year and a half of friendship, Ken asked Betty for doughnuts and coffee, and they were married a year after that. He then retired and he and Betty spent time in Ariz. and Iowa. They made many friends in both places.

On Aug. 11, 2010, a levee on the South Skunk River broke at 1 :30 a.m., causing them to lose their home in. Colfax and most of their possessions. They were thankful for their neighbors getting them out and helping them get to Colo. Ken was so happy to be around family and to make so many new friends while participating in many clubs and groups at the Ft. Collins Senior Center, including acting in the ‘Soap Troupe.’

Ken leaves behind his beloved wife, Betty; a large family and a large circle of friends. ~ The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Thurs 21 Feb 2013.