Kenneth Leroy Juon

Kenneth Leroy Juon of Rhinelander died peacefully at home with his family on July 8, 2024, succumbing to bladder cancer, a disease triggered by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam during his service in the U.S. Army.

Ken was born December 11, 1945, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Elmer and Anna (Darnall) Juon. He grew up on a farm in Alleman, a small community just north of Des Moines. He graduated from North Polk High School in 1964 with a class of 42 students. He enjoyed participating in high school activities, including football and wrestling, winning several state-level awards. He attended Drake University in Des Moines, graduating with a degree in Fine Arts in 1968. Soon after, he was drafted into the Army and was sent to Vietnam with the 1st Airborne Cavalry Division. He was in employed in combat in the jungle regions near Cambodia.

After an honorable discharge in 1970, he married Sarah Lindberg, his sweetheart from Drake University. They moved to Manhattan in New York City and pursued their passions for art, writing, and making many friends within the stimulating urban cultures of New York, while living on Broadway and West 92nd Street for 18 years. During that time Ken had a large studio space on West 88th Street and created sculpture and wall pieces in a conceptual mode. He was awarded two New York State grants. His work was displayed in galleries around the New York area and other cities. He also participated at the ground level with the formation of Symphony Space, a cultural and performing arts center created out of a renovated 1920s theater at Broadway at West 95th Street. He discovered a talent for utilizing early computer programs developed for membership and fund-raising, and was instrumental in helping to grow Symphony Space into a renowned international cultural center.

In 1988, their daughter, Emma, was born, and it motivated them to return to their Midwestern roots. In 1989 they found Rhinelander to be a congenial community for raising a child, making friends, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Northwoods. Ken worked for the Rhinelander Paper Company for 22 years, starting as a jack-of-many-trades vacation relief person. He was promoted into management, eventually becoming Director of Purchasing. Ken loved fishing for walleye and muskie, especially with his buddy, Craig Zarley. In 1997 they began a tradition of annual trips to Northern Ontario’s Pickle Lake area. In the early years they hauled canoes for hours of portage to camp on a remote island. Later, they had many fun years staying in a cabin in North Albany, a no-frills fishing resort.

He retired from the paper company in 2011 and immediately began using his leadership skills in the formation of the ArtStart community center in downtown Rhinelander. He was passionate about the Wisconsin Idea of bringing culture and art to the state’s rural communities, and was a guiding force for developing high standards for programming and art exhibitions at ArtStart. As a volunteer, he served for many years as president and then as treasurer. As Co-Founder of ArtStart, he was given the Arts in the Community Award by the Arts Wisconsin and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities in 2018. The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International honored him as a Paul Harris Fellow for his community work.

Ken is survived by his wife, Sarah; daughter, Emma; son-in-law Jake Kurth; grandson, Milo; sister, Constance Duling; nieces, Kelly and Allison and nephew Bryce; nieces Jen and Lindsay; sister-in-law Carolyn Manson, niece Cynthia, and nephew John; nieces Vikki, Christy and Sandy, and nephews Eddie and Matt. He is predeceased by his parents, brother David, and sisters-in-law Sharon and Laura Jane.

A memorial for Ken will be held at ArtStart on Sunday, July 28, from 4 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established in Ken’s name for ArtStart and any gifts may be sent to ArtStart at 68 S Stevens St., Rhinelander, WI. You may also leave your private condolences for the Juon family at www.carlsonfh.com. 

The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the Juon family.