Kenneth L. Mathys

Mathys, Kenneth L. "Ken Sr."

Kenneth L. Mathys sailed off to heaven into the waiting arms of his Lord on Friday, May 13, 2016 after suffering a massive stroke on the previous Tuesday evening. His family enjoyed two incredible days with him before he passed away while praying the Rosary with his daughter Marcia and his son Fred at his side. Until his stroke, he was active and generally in good health.

Ken was born April 23, 1929 in Green Bay to Louis and Rose (Miller) Mathys. On May 29, 1954 he married Geraldine Hoell of Green Bay, and together they raised four children. Despite numerous opportunities to relocate for Ken's career, they made a conscious decision to make their home in Green Bay for their entire lives to keep their family life stable.

As a youngster, Ken attended St. Patrick's grade school and Green Bay West High School before earning a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology from the University of Wisconsin. After a stint in the U.S. Army (stateside during the Korean war), and after working for a couple years in his family's glass and paint business, Ken went back to graduate school and earned a Master's Degree in Social Work from UW- Milwaukee while Gerry held down the home front in Green Bay with their growing family. He then began a long and successful career as social worker, administrator and Associate Warden with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections at the Green Bay Reformatory, as it was known at that time. He was well-liked and respected by prison staff in all departments which allowed him to be an effective administrator. He continued to meet his work friends for their weekly Thursday breakfast at the Allouez Café.

Ken was a devout Roman Catholic who regularly attended Mass at Resurrection Church, St. Norbert Abbey or wherever he happened to be while out of town. He and Gerry were often ministers of the wine cup. He prayed often for family and friends - frequently at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help chapel at Robinsonville.

Ken was a loving husband for 51 years until Gerry passed away suddenly in 2005. Although heartbroken, he carried on with his strong faith and an abundance of support from family and great friends. He was the leader of his family and was always there to provide them love and support. He unselfishly received Grandma Hoell (Gerry's mother) into their home for several years, always welcomed everyone to pack into the cottage or camper, and even allowed his youngest son Johnny to move back home again - numerous times! He was a devoted son, father and brother, an interested grandfather, and a dear and faithful friend to all who knew him.

Ken enjoyed sports, especially football. He was a Wisconsin Badger through and through and a member of the 150# football team that won the Big Ten Championship in 1948. An avid Packers fan, Ken helped open City Stadium as an usher in 1957, was a proud shareholder and season ticket holder. He cheered the Packers on to their Super Bowl win in Dallas in 2011 with his son John. Ken was not just all about sports - he also loved the arts and music, including ballet, opera and the symphony. He was a member of the Brown County Musical and Literary Society and a charter member of the "Original Green Bay Boys Choir" which sang at churches all around the area. One of Ken and Gerry's memorable moments together was a trip to see the Three Tenors in Chicago, a Christmas gift from his children.

As a young father, Ken attended all of his children's games and events. He shared his love and respect for the outdoors while camping, skiing, fishing and sailing - all great family activities that they enjoy today and are passing down to the next generation. He also enjoyed bowling and golf.

Perhaps what Ken enjoyed most was spending time in Door County and being on the water sailing with his friends and family. He started sailing on Lake Mendota while in college, then on the Fox River, lower Green Bay, Lake Michigan and the Caribbean. He and his son, Ken Jr., were boat partners for 38 years and realized their dream of sailing across Lake Michigan together in 2010. Ken was a skilled navigator who guided over a hundred Green Bay and Lake Michigan crossings over the years. He very much looked forward to seeing his Point Beach neighbors and attending the annual Egg Harbor Independence Day parade with his son Fred and his family! In recent years, his sailing time was limited, so he enjoyed relaxing at the family cottage in Door County, especially sitting on the deck looking at the water and treasuring his memories of times there with Gerry.

In his later years, thanks to Marcia's devotion to her father, some assistance from his caregivers and generally good health, Ken was able to enjoy life at home and remain very active up until his stroke. Ken loved to take a drive and have dinner while enjoying the companionship of his very special friend, Dorie. He had a number of favorite places and especially loved lobster tail with an accompanying Makers Mark and water.

Throughout his life, Ken was very active in service and social groups such as the Green Bay Sailing Club, Resurrection Square Dance Club, Boy Scouts, Elks Club, Tuesday ski bus, his New Year's Eve group, United States Power Squadron, Egg Harbor Yacht Club, National Ski Patrol and the Ski Brule gang to name just a few. He also served in leadership capacities on numerous village, church and event committees. Through these groups he developed many, many wonderful and lifelong friends. In turn, he was a loyal friend and confidant. You could always count on Ken to provide sound support, thoughtful advice, and engaging stories!

Survivors include his four children: daughter and primary care-giver for the last eleven years Marcia Mathys-Pierce (Tony); sons Ken Jr. (Shawn), Fred (Sandy), and John (Diane Holschuh); grandchildren: Nick Van Pay, Hanna and Pearl Pierce; Andrew (Jennifer), Kristen and Kara Mathys; Ben (Annorah), Molly (fiancée Jake), and Sam Mathys; great-grandchildren: Grace, Aaron and Easton Mathys; and very special friend Dorie Pagel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Rose, his wife Gerry, and his sister Marilyn Aebischer.

Family and friends may visit at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Hilltop Dr., Sunday, May 22, 2016 from 4:00pm until 6:30pm. A sharing of memories will be held at 6:30pm followed by a parish prayer service at 7:00pm. Visitation will continue on Monday, May 23, 2016 at church from 9:30am until 10:45am. Mass of Christian Burial for Ken will be celebrated at 11:00am with Bishop Robert Morneau officiating. Cotter Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com

Heartfelt thanks are extended to the Green Bay Humboldt Rescue Squad and St. Vincent Hospital's ER, ICU and 9th Floor team members for their loving and compassionate care provided to Ken and his family.

Ken Jr., Fred and John express their enduring gratitude to their sister Marcia for the boundless love and care that she provided to their dad in her home over the last eleven years, and to Marcia's husband Tony for his support and understanding.

The family would also like to extend special thanks to the Home Instead caregiving team of Lisa, Tuesday Carol and Friday Carol for their kindness and gentle care provided to Ken over the last three years.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established to help fund the Bay View Memorial Terrace project in Egg Harbor. Please feel free to contact Ken Jr. for more information.