Michael E. Konz

Konz, Michael E, 78, died peacefully with his family at his side in Louisville, KY, on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. He was born April 21, 1945 on the south side of Milwaukee, the third of six children to the late Raymond C. and Estelle A. (nee Nastachowska) Konz. He and his wife, Barbara, moved to Kentucky in 2017 to live with their daughter and family.
Michael was a family man and loved his country – he was named for two uncles who served in World War II, 1st Sgt Michael Konz, U.S. Marine Corps (KIA during the Battle of Tarawa) and PFC Edmund Nast, U.S. Army. He chose Christian, his father's middle name, as his confirmation name. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves, serving from 1966-1971.
Growing up, "Mickey" enjoyed frequent fishing trips with paternal uncles Ollie and Jerry at their cottage in Hoeft's Resort on Crooked Lake in Kettle Moraine. He received a Catholic elementary and secondary education and graduated from Francis Jordan High School in 1963.
Michael's work path first began as a proud paperboy for the Milwaukee Journal. As an adult, he worked in retail with Mary Janes Shoes in Chicago and later in fine men's clothing stores in Milwaukee and ended that period as a manager for Schmit-Orlow Stumpfs. He was incredibly dapper-quality suits and snazzy clothing and perfectly shined shoes. He found a career with the U.S. Post Office and worked at various locations for more than 30 years, ultimately retiring from the airport branch. It was at the downtown Milwaukee post office in 1971 that he met Barbara and they were happily married on Sept. 22, 1973 with a lavish reception at The Plankinton Hotel.
A month before celebrating their fifth anniversary, Michael and Barbara welcomed their daughter, Antoinette. Mickey cherished being a father. He taught his daughter to swim and ride a bicycle. They would often take long bike rides across Milwaukee to see family, sometimes even bringing along their dachshunds that were safely tucked into a custom-made side-by-side basket.
His love for movies and music across many genres shaped the lives of his family. As a teenager, he often disappeared to watch consecutive films at the Pearl Theater in Milwaukee. He used to buy tickets for the entire family to go to premier openings of Hollywood films. When he was older, he recorded movies on his VCR and would "rent" them out at no charge to family.
While his daughter played with various toys and Barbie dolls, he would blast everything from Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond and Johnny Cash to the Beach Boys, Dolly Parton and Stevie Nicks. His daughter got a kick out of "See You Later, Alligator" by Bill Haley and His Comets and it became their favorite anthem. Later on, his grandson would learn how to play the piano by ear. He leaves behind an extensive vinyl collection (at one point, the collection was alphabetized and itemized on paper) that is coincidentally back in style and will be thoroughly enjoyed by his family.
Mickey was also an avid cameraman and videographed every birthday and milestone of his daughter's life, as well as weddings and other events with family. When he lived at Oxmoor Lodge in Louisville, he and his buddy Bob would take turns selecting movies for their neighbors, a real-life version of "Grumpy Old Men."
Mickey and Barbara loved entertaining family and friends, hosting large Thanksgivings and card games throughout their lifetimes. Mickey was exceptionally thoughtful of extended family and enjoyed staying in touch with them-especially in his later years. He would give his daughter a hand-written list of everyone's birthday and ask her to buy cards. Everyone received a birthday and holiday card, always through the mail.
It was becoming a grandfather in 2001 to Cameron that Mickey found his true passion in life. A lifelong fan of the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers, "Pepa" would take his little buddy on rides to visit fire stations and to hundreds of baseball games (longtime Brewers season ticket holder) over the years, as Cameron would spend every summer with his grandparents.
He looked forward to and found comfort in praying the Holy Rosary for grace and protection with his siblings by phone every Saturday morning since the pandemic began in 2020 and up until shortly before his death.
Michael was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ellen Konz (nee Radtke), his parents, brother, Richard G. Konz of Wisconsin, brothers-in-law--Robert Kastelic, Gregory V. Konz-Krzyminski and William J. Grant and sister-in-law, Barbara A. Konz all of Wisconsin.
Aside from his daughter, Antoinette "Toni" (J.D.) Tatman, and grandson Cameron (Iris Weaver), he is survived by three sisters, Mary El Kastelic and Eugenia Grant of Wisconsin and Patricia Konz of Florida; a brother, Raymond Konz-Krzyminski of Wisconsin; sister-in-law Kathy Kosmeder of Colorado and godchildren Kristine Koval of Wisconsin; Liza Kastelic of Maryland; Paula Kapral of Florida and Michelle (Ryan) Wagner of Colorado. He was a loving uncle to many other nieces and nephews and a cherished cousin to many, as well as many other beloved family members across the country.
Michael was an animal lover his whole life and owned many dogs, mainly dachshunds. He will be dearly missed by his granddogs, Griswold, Oscar and Stella (all dachshunds); grandcat Emma and great-grandcat, Captain Jack Harlow, the orange tabby.
The family would like to thank the Intensive Care Unit and 4 West nurses and doctors at Louisville Norton Women and Children's Hospital (especially Dr. Kathy Thomas) who went above and beyond to make sure Michael was comfortable during his multiple hospital stays in 2023.
Antoinette and Cameron will also be eternally grateful for Father Scott Murphy of St. Edward Catholic Church who ministered to Michael throughout his illnesses and answered the call to be with him and his family until he took his last breath in the hospital in the early hours of Jan. 4, 2024. They would also like to thank Cassie Blausey of Louisville for her unwavering friendship to Toni and helping her through some of the worst days of her life.
Visitation is from 3-7p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9 at Ratterman & Sons Funeral Home, 10600 Taylorsville Road Jeffersontown, KY 40299. A funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at St. Edward Catholic Church; 9608 Sue Helen Dr. Jeffersontown, KY 40299. Plans will be made for an interment at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Milwaukee at a later date. Condolences may be shared by going to www.Ratterman.com.