Kenneth Allen Hantz

Kenneth Allen Hantz, 64, of Skandia, passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at his home, with

his family by his side and under the care of Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice.

He was born April 26, 1961, in Duluth, Minnesota, a son of Thomas R. and Maureen J. (Allen)

Hantz. Starting in 1964, his family moved back and forth between the Marquette/Skandia area

and Duluth, Minnesota. In 1978, his family settled in the Marquette/Skandia area graduating

from Gwinn High School in 1980.

Ken worked as a part-time carpenter over the years with his father's company, Thomas Hantz

Contracting. During that same time, he was employed at Red Owl Foods then Tadych's

Marketplace Foods. Ken retired from Tadych's in November of 2024.

Ken's greatest joy in life was his family. He loved his wife and sons with a depth that showed in

both the big moments and quiet everyday ones. Ken was known for his quick wit and warm

sense of humor; Ken could make any room brighter just by being in it. He was an avid sports fan

with an unwavering love for the Minnesota Vikings & Minnesota Twins. Ken was also a NMU

Hockey season ticket holder and enjoyed attending games with friends and family. Ken's

presence, laughter and steadfast support will be remembered by all who knew him, because truly,

everyone who met Ken loved him.

Throughout his life, Ken enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting, bowling, gardening, and dirt

biking in his youth. He was active in Boy Scout Troop 302. Ken also loved spending time with

family-camping together and cooking his famous bacon over an open fire, a simple tradition that

became a treasured memory for those who shared it with him.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Suzette (Eckloff) Hantz of Skandia; sons, Kristopher A.

Hantz of Marquette and Kyle A. (Audrey) Hantz of Marquette; siblings, Kathleen Evans, Betty

Jean Richer, Julianne (Vaughn) McDaniell II, Geraldine (Aaron) Barber, Alene (Steve) Colvin,

Susan (John) High, Warren (Gail) Hantz, David (Jennifer) Hantz, Donald (Kim) Hantz; several

nieces & nephews. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Maureen, and

brothers-in-law Michael Evans and Leo Richer.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 4:00pm at St. Louis the

King Catholic Church with Rev. Thomas Merkel officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00pm

until the time of the service. A luncheon will follow the Mass. Interment will take place in the

Spring at the West Branch Township Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ahmed Shriners, 128 W. Washington Street, Marquette, MI 49855.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting the family where memories may be shared at fassbenderswansonhansen.com