Ken Abendschein passed away February 9, 2023.
He was 59 years old. Ken was a beloved son of the late Anne and Paul Abendschein, and brother of Patty (Jeff) Reed, the late Tom Abendschein, and Kathy (Paul) Henke. He was a loving uncle to Emily (Jeff) Barnes, Missy (Andrew) Larson, Tim (Katie) Reed, Matthew Henke, and 4 great-nieces. Ken’s love for his extended Abendschein and Bornholdt families was immense. He cherished his years growing up on their own “Kennedy Compound”, having Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Bud Bornholdt and Ken’s seven cousins as back-fence neighbors. Ken had many devoted friends whom he loved like family.
Ken was a graduate of Lindbergh High School (1981) and University of Missouri – St. Louis (BSBA/MBA). Ken’s career was spent at Maritz, joining in 1984 as an intern while still in college. He convinced them to hire him part time during his last semester and he began his full time career upon graduation from UMSL. Ken has been described as “a creative genius” and the most creative of the 1000’s of employees who walked the halls. He spent much of his time as a project manager and/or creative director, but was often on loan to departments throughout the company when they needed a creative mind. He was a star – especially in the eyes of all who had the good fortune to have worked with him. Ken retired from Maritz in 2019. Ken then began his own business providing creative consulting. He was also busy helping to grow the company Three Pines Collection (threepinescollection.com), which he started with two other self-professed “passionate creative fanatics” who love great stationery.
Ken’s creativity reached far beyond his professional life. He was known for his quick wit and outrageous sense of humor. He delighted in creating his own greeting cards and numerous invitations and announcements for parties and events. He was a wiz with a glue gun. His Christmas cards were legendary.
Ken loved: Making people laugh, Cardinal baseball, LYM, the magic and lights of Christmas, autumn, snow days with hot chocolate, comfort food, Disney, a clever theme and tag line, great fonts and card stock, Tic Tacs, Eulalie, casseroles, long drives while listening to music, Ding Dongs, scotch, a witty comeback, mac ‘n cheese, chocolate chip cookies, pocket squares, A cappella music, travel, beach vacations (especially Seaside, FL), grilled cheese, “good hair” days, breakfast food, a good donut (or even a bad one), dogs, cartoons, a beautifully wrapped gift, game nights, gag gifts, telling stories, and making people feel special.
Ken hated: Cats.
Ken, we know you were hopelessly devoted to Olivia Newton-John. We can only hope she welcomed you at the pearly gates with a hug and a kiss. That would be Heaven. As for all of your devoted fans, know that we LOVE YOU MORE!
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to JDRF www.jdrf/memorial are appreciated. Ken lived bravely with Type 1 Diabetes for over 50 years, courageously battling its many complications. He served on the board of JDRF for a number of years. Ken used his time and talent in this life to fight this disease so children in the future would not have to.
Visitation at Mercy Conference and Retreat Center (2039 North Geyer Rd. 63131) on Sunday, February 26 from 2 – 4:30 p.m. with sharing of memories from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. and funeral service at 6 p.m. followed by a reception for all on site. Please consider carpooling as parking is limited. Livestream will be available beginning 15 minutes before sharing of memories HERE.
Interment at Resurrection Cemetery on Monday, February 27 at 11 a.m. Meet at main entrance of cemetery closest to Watson Rd. at 10:45 a.m.
My precious Tenny—You will always be in my heart! Thank you for all the love…and especially the laughter! I envy you being reunited with Mark, PA, Grandma, Aunt Rosie, Tommy, Dad, Mom & AA—and for the first time meeting the Grandpa we never knew Peter Barisic! I bet Heaven’s almost as much fun as the kids table at Goldenrod & Chantenay! Lym Thu
Ken, when I met Rose at UMSL, I met you. You two were a package deal! And what a deal it was – almost 40 years now! You made me laugh so hard at times I cried. You were always such a friend to Rose and me and to our extended friends and families. Our kids called you Uncle Kenny and loved you dearly too. I am happy you are at peace now and free from your earthly ailments and concerns. I just know that somewhere in Heaven you are with Joan Rivers and Oliva having a hoot! Good luck to ya!
I worked with Ken for several years at Maritz. He was certainly one of my favorites, and I will certainly miss him. Prayers for him, and prayers to his family and friends for peace in your hearts.
Lots of love to you, Kenny. My grandma Dot absolutely loved you. She told me a lot of stories about you and your family as well. We have your pictures and still treasure you and your family. My mom Janis thought you were handsome and had a great sense of humor. You endured so much in this lifetime and I know that God has polished your soul to shine even brighter than it did when you were with us! I’m am thankful for knowing you and believe you are a gift to the world.
I met Ken during our shared time in Executive Connections 2.5 years ago. An instant connection. It felt like “old friends’ all the time. We normally had conversations late at night into early mornings as we both seemed to find that as the quietest time of day. So many laughs and good memories. My last text string was about a Christmas card he sent to my mother. She raved about it while I was with her in New Jersey. I told Ken I was going to steal it from her because I came to enjoy his handwritten, thoughtful notes. He said please don’t do that to your Mom, there’s one in your mailbox when you get home. And so it was! May Ken’s rest be peaceful and fond memories of him live in our hearts and minds. I will miss him dearly.
We loved this man.
I met Kenny 42 years ago at UMSL. We were both struggling with Calculus so we would go to the math lab every day together. Of course we had some good laughs in the math lab! . We both passed! That summer he sent me his burned calculus notes. My whole family looked forward to his Christmas Card every year. I saved every one of them. I will miss him so. He was a unique & incredible person. As he would say, I love you more my friend. RIP.
My family and I loved everything about this man from his kindness, his bubbling personality and his one of a kind sense of humor as evidenced by his Christmas cards. (I’m so glad he created one last one which I kept and will treasure dearly.) In addition, Ken gave THE BEST hugs and they, too, will be sorely missed.
This world has lost a great guy and to say he was taken too soon is an understatement.
RIP, Kenny and LYM.
I don’t even know where to start. Kenny made life better for everyone else on the planet. And I’m pretty sure he knew everyone else on the planet. But, whenever I talked to him, I knew I had his undivided attention. He was witty and funny and creative, yes, but deeply caring of others. A great example to live by. RIP, dear friend.
I worked with Ken for many years at Maritz Motivation. He was a creative and fun-loving colleague that could turn the most menial job into an exciting adventure. Ken always brought a smile and terrific attitude to every meeting, project, or situation. His laugh and sense of humor were infectious. And, I will certainly miss the annual tradition of receiving his Holiday card in the mail. He will be missed by many. Rest In Peace, Ken.
Jan and I were so devastated by Ken’s passing. We met him long ago through my sister. We had great times whenever he was around, and looked forward to his annual Christmas cards. What a hoot! We are so glad you are finally at peace and with those that went before you.
I will miss his witty come backs and his wonderful sense of humor. He was one of a kind and the people at Maritz and elsewhere will never meet anyone like him! Rest in peace, Ken and say hello to Olivia for me.
I was so sorry to hear about Ken. I knew him back when he first started at Maritz and knew immediately how kind he was, what a great sense of humor he had, and that he was an all around great person! He had a way of turning bad days into good days, and making everyone smile. Rest in Heavenly peace, Ken!
Few have touched so many and left us with so many memories as Ken. The world needs many more like him. It is uplifting to read the comments of so many about our friend Ken. Heaven has been upgraded by his entry. Remember all of the good times and inspiration he gave to so many. His legend will live in our hearts!
The news of Kenny broke my heart. I haven’t seen Kenny since “The Kennedy Compound”, which I could only dream about being apart of from the fence that separated us growing up. The loved that was shared between the Abendschein and Bornholdt’s was an amazing gift from God! There was always something going on there. I remember the summer dinners they shared on the Bornholdt’s patio. I enviously watched them through our window, wondering what it was like to be in such a big loving family.
I was/am friends with Kathy so I didn’t get to know Kenny well. I wanted to hang out with Kenny and Nancy (another neighbor) but they wouldn’t have it…they were so much more cooler and older than me!
The few times our paths crossed when we were adults, he had that personality that drew me to him. It was one that made me want to become closer. His wit, humor, creativeness and his ease to talk to was magnetic.
My sincere sympathies goes out to his family and all that were close to him.
I pray you find strength in God through this difficult time!
My heart breaks for all of us who knew Ken. His creativity and designing talents will forever be remembered. Brainstorm meetings were never boring when he was there. Laughing with him until we were both crying was the best! He was so talented in many ways, but one of his biggest assets was the ability to make everyone around him feel recognized, important and loved. We were all blessed to have known him. My sincere condolences to his family. I’m trusting that he has now been able to get the answers he was seeking for so long. Olivia should be honored to meet her #1 fan.
Forever in my heart.
LYM
Ken was the consummate human being whether it was at work or away. Those who were fortunate to know and work with him are better off for having done so. RIP Ken….
Ken was a great guy with an incredible “make you cry because you are laughing so hard” sense of humor. He also had a more serious side when the moment called for it. Had a lot of fun working with him at Maritz, often reliving the glory days of working on the Winning Lifestyles account while grabbing dinner or a drink when I was in town. My wife and I loved Ken’s hysterical Christmas cards — seeing his return address on the envelope was a “drop everything” moment to see what he came up with this year. I already miss him. May perpetual light shine upon Ken always, and may he be found worthy of the promises of Christ. My deepest condolences to all of his family and friends.
Ken Abendschein was a force with which to be reckoned! His kind heart, his generosity, his incredible sense of humor, his creativity, his love for his family and friends (signified by his LYM sign-off signature), his love of chocolate and Olivia Newton John – the list of his favorite things goes on and on and is well documented in his obituary. Ken will be sorely missed by hundreds, if not thousands, of us.
Ken came into my and my family’s lives through his friendship with my sister Cathy. He became a treasured friend to all of my family – young and old alike. Our mother, Theresa, adored Ken and he was the only person who ever caller her Terry! When she was asked why she thought that he gave her that sweet nickname, Mom’s response was, “that Ken – he is a real character!” Indeed he was, Mom, indeed he was!
Ken joined us for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, for New Year’s Eve parties and birthdays, for weddings and wedding showers. He brought love, fun, and uniquely and creatively wrapped gifts with him. He also started my salt and pepper shaker collection (a really long story). From silver champagne bottle and bucket shakers, to baseball glove and ball, a cat on a pink couch, Santa stuck in a chimney – oh the list is a long one. The man was a “ real character”. Mom was oh so right! We LYM, dear friend, and you will be in our hearts forever.
God sure takes the good ones. Worked with Ken since his beginning at Maritz. Ken lived his life with angel wings, he just had that positive aura of good cheer, life is great attitude who made everyone else’s day better! Hope his wings carry him to his happy, pain free place
It was a privilege and an honor to know Ken. He brought joy to everyone with his wit, sense of humor and warm heart. We were lucky to know him.
My sincerest condolences to Ken’s family and all who knew and loved him. He was a classmate of mine at LHS and his quick wit and creative energetic was like no other. We were able to keep up the last several years through social media and had some great conversations. His humor and sarcasm kept so many of us laughing. Rest in peace, Ken. May your light continue to shine in our hearts always.
I had the pleasure of working with Ken as a freelance art director for Maritz. He was such a joy to work with. We kept up with each other these last few years through Facebook. I was so sorry to hear of his passing. I know he had been struggling with health issues for quite a few years. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
A sad time. What an impactful guy. Definitely one of my favs.