Kenneth D. Gisch, age 80, of Laurens, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at his home in Laurens, Iowa.

Kenneth Dean Gisch was born October 26, 1945 in Beeville, Texas to parents Andrew B. and Vonnie (Durant) Gisch. Ken was raised in the West Bend area, graduating from West Bend High School in 1963. He continued to live in West Bend and worked for the DOT while helping his father on the farm. In March of 1966, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served for 2 years. Following his discharge in April of 1968, Ken returned to Iowa. He later purchased a bar in Laurens in February of 1969 which became widely known as "Gisch's." On November 18, 1973, Ken was united in marriage to Julie Mohler at the Little Brown Church at Nashua. The couple moved to Marathon in 1976 and lived there until 1986 when they returned and settled in Laurens. Ken continued to operate the bar until his retirement in 2001.

Ken was a member of the Kiwanis and the Laurens Golf and Country Club. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, playing cards (especially 500 and poker), playing pool, collecting arrowheads, and races. He also enjoyed attending and dealing at gun shows and was a coin connoisseur, having an encyclopedic knowledge on all things coins.

Survivors include his wife, Julie Gisch of Laurens; son, Daniel (Carrie) Gisch of Laurens; grandsons, Landon and Logan; granddaughters, Stella, Madelyn and Charlotte; sister, Sandy (Steve) Schultz of Spirit Lake; sisters-in-law, Judy Clausen of South Haven, KS and Diane Mohler of Dassel, MN; brother-in-law, Barry Mohler of San Antonio, TX, and many nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Vonnie, and his son, Andy Gisch.