John Kenneth Deede, born to this world December 5, 1941 to Ruth Irene (nee Ramsdell) and Joseph Henry Deede.  As he took the hand of his Lord and Savior John entered his heavenly home on Friday, March 7 at 12:25 pm at the age of 72 years, 3 months and 3 days. The youngest of five children.

John began building and designing at an early age. At age 8 he used  a small engine to power a rotary mower  so his Mom didn’t have to work so hard. Scrounging parts and pieces from the dump and neighboring farmers, he built a go-kart at age 12. His love of all things mechanical and his innate ability to make things run led John and Claudia to start their own manufacturing business in 1974. Automated Finishing Inc. is a leader in developing  equipment to meet customer’s needs. John was known for drawing plans on paper napkins or placemats while having lunch and then building machines from those plans. 

In 1988 John designed and built the Arias Overture, an alcohol dragster style snowmobile. At his first event in Hayward, Wisconsin John set a Guinness World Record by attaining a speed of 178.144 mph in a quarter mile run on the frozen lake. This speed beat the old record by almost 20 mph. 

John is survived by his loving wife and life companion of 47 years, Claudia (nee Harris); his children, Krysta Leigh and Matthew John (Tammy); his grandchildren (or “the boys” as he liked to call them), Jevon Charles, Seth Lawrence, and Tallen John. Dear brother of Ardis (Ike) Schrieber, Richard (Marianne) Deede, Joan (Richard) LaRock, and the late Robert (late Marilyn) Deede. Son-in-law to Larry (Jeanne) Harris. Further survived by other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Linden Grove New Berlin and Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc for their exceptional care for John.  

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at Emmanuel Community United Methodist Church (N84 W16707 Menomonee Avenue, Menomonee Falls) from 2 PM until time of a Funeral Service celebrating John’s life at 6 PM. Burial will take place at Forest Home Cemetery (16000 block of Village View Rd. Townsend, WI) on Wednesday, March 12 at 12 Noon (please meet us at the cemetery).

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be used to start a scholarship fund in John's name.