Kendon George Huppert
This page contains information about my late stepson, Kendon George Huppert, who died of complications of AIDS on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1998, at the age of 29. Ken was first diagnosed as HIV positive in late 1992, and had had a variety of treatments since that time, including many at the Mayo Clinic. Ken entered hospice care on November 1 and said that he wanted to die on Thanksgiving, after a celebratory dinner with friends and family, just as he'd done for many previous years. The friends came and dinner was served, with Ken aware of the event and the love of his friends and family. He died about 940PM that evening. The pictures shown here are from his funeral/memorial service on December 5, 1998.
Ken had planned his own funeral, which included a number of his favorite songs played and sung by his partner, Jack Wallace; a forty minute video that he'd prepared to say good by to friends and family; and memories presented by many of us. Ken also asked that there be balloons, blowing of bubbles, and wearing of bright colors. Finally, Jack made a number of displays representing their life and love together, and one special display that Ken asked to be made. This display, much of which is shown at the bottom of this page, illustrates the end-stages of AIDS in Ken's case. Many who die of AIDS don't show these particular signs of viral attack, but suffer in other ways. Just the same, the deaths are no less gruesome in their own ways.
Those who would like to make a donation in Ken's memory can do so to these agencies that supported him, or to any other AIDS support group of your choice:
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin
1707 Main Street #420
LaCrosse, Wisconsin 54601
Franciscan Skemp Foundation
700 West Avenue South
LaCrosse WI 54601
If any more friends or family have other stories or images of Ken to contribute, I'd love to add them to the page. And, suggestions of links to other AIDS-related resources will also be added if contributed.
All of the small images below can be clicked to view a larger image.
 Cinda Lester (Ken's step-sister), Susanna Lester (half sister), Ken, and Steve Huppert (brother) |
 As he'd requested, Ken had an open-casket funeral. The picture shows a few of the flowers and the piano that Jack played. |
 Before the service many gathered outside to blow bubbles. It isn't easy finding bottles of bubble soap in Wisconsin in December. |
 Susanna blew many of the bubbles herself. |
 These are a few of the hundreds of balloons that decorated the room. |
 After the service people took the balloons outside to release them to the heavens. |
 Ken's partner Jack and his brother Steve sent their balloons on the way. |
 Lorraine Lester (Ken's mother), Cinda, and Susanna added theirs. |
 The balloons brightened the darkening sky on a beautiful, clear, and warm day. |
 Soon the balloons flew out of sight. |
| Ken's final days with AIDS | |
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 Ken was thin from not being able to eat on November 10. |
 On November 17 the virus had started its visible attack. |
 On November 21 it had spread extensively. (the white spot is a photo reflection, not an AIDS effect) |
 The final photo was taken on November 26, two hours before Ken died. |
