Kenneth Charles Schaetz

Ken Schaetz
of Brookfield passed away on Saturday, July 6, surrounded by the family who dearly loved him and are heartbroken by his unexpected loss. Everyone who encountered Ken was gifted with his friendly, generous spirit and dry sense of humor. His hugs were his trademark - a hug from Ken could make your day, or sometimes your whole week.
Ken loved his family beyond all else and though he didn't say it often, demonstrated it consistently through his actions. He and his wife of 64 years, Janice (nee Labus) raised their children, Wendy (Michael) Roidt, Barbara, David (Laurel) and Cheri, in a loving, supportive home and they all share Ken's strong work ethic, humble nature and charitable attitude. There is nothing he wouldn't do for them or for his two grandchildren, Kevin and Megan Roidt, who he doted on from the day they were born.
Ken was born and raised in Milwaukee – the only son of Carl and Frances Schaetz and older brother of Carol Roth – where he graduated from Pius XI High School in 1955. He stayed in contact with his classmates through annual get-togethers for the rest of his life. Ken's Catholic faith was always a focus of his life. As a child, he was an altar boy and knew the whole Mass in Latin. He was a Past Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus Council #3702 and was passionate about their charitable work, with a special focus on the annual Tootsie Roll drive benefiting those with intellectual disabilities.
Ken was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Brookfield for over 50 years and in his later years, he took an active role in the St. Dominic hospitality ministry. Never one to do just the minimum at anything, his goal was to get everyone attending the Mass to engage with him at some level. As a start, he was happy with a simple acknowledgement or smile from a person entering church. His warm welcoming greetings from the front doors could be heard by those already seated in church. With continued persistence, he challenged himself to get even the "toughest nuts to crack" to engage in a conversation until, ultimately, a personal relationship was formed. There are countless individuals who can testify to his kind and winning persistence. He also took pride in unofficially orienting new hospitality ministers into the "crew" and enjoyed the camaraderie that formed from those early days.
Ken worked in the grocery business throughout most of his life, from managing stores to working for food brokers to selling to stores throughout Wisconsin and Illinois. He had such an extensive professional network that he couldn't go anywhere without running into someone he knew. He was treated like a celebrity at food shows where it would take him hours to get from one side of the convention hall to the other because he would stop and talk to so many people.
Among his interests were golf, sheepshead, and watching the Packers in action. Ken was a diehard supporter of the Green and Gold even in their worst seasons, but in any season, he was often hoarse from yelling at the players making bonehead plays.
Ken was an adventurer and loved to travel throughout the world with family and friends. Many of his favorites were road trips he and Jan took in their Corvette with their fellow Corvette-enthusiast friends. Planning trips to explore the USA on the road and picking unique stops along each route led to memorable adventures – resulting in more than a few stories the Corvette group can recount. A requirement for every trip was to find at least one, preferably more, hidden, winding, scenic roads to open up the power of the Vette.
The family would like to express their immense gratitude to the gifted nurses and CNAs on 10 CFAC and 5 SW at Froedtert Hospital who cared for Ken with infinite compassion and a gentle touch. You are truly angels here on earth.
A celebration of Ken's Life will take place on Tuesday, July 16 at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 18255 W. Capitol Drive from 10:30 AM until Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 PM. Immediately following the Mass, Ken's Urn will be Placed at St. Dominic's Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Catholic Charities or St. Dominic Catholic Church would be greatly appreciated.