Will Mathes

Will T. Mathes, 91, of rural Kiel died peacefully at home with his wife by his side on Tuesday evening September 2, 2025. He was born in Manitowoc County, son of the late Ed and Hilda (Ruh) Mathes. Will graduated from Kiel High School with the Class of 1952. He was a proud Veteran of the US Army, serving from 1954 until 1956. Will returned to the area and attended Lakeland College, graduating in 1961. On June 14, 1975 he was united in marriage to Lora Froehlich on the family farm.

Will was a World History teacher first in Edgerton and later at Kiel High School where he was also the Athletic Director. He was active in sports and was a referee for Kiel football and basketball for 50 years. Will was known to bike to school for 15 years and was well respected by his students and other teachers. He remained at Kiel High School until his retirement. Will was one of the founding members of the Kiel Historical Society. He was also an active member of Bethlehem UCC. Will was a choir member, authored many performances for church celebrations and was a member of the Bethlehem Merry Christians. He was a great lover of the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, bird watching and gardening. Many memories were made with trips to the cabin up north and entertaining with his harmonica.

Survivors include his loving wife of 50 years; Lora, his daughters; Linda Mathes and Kris Mathes, sister; Elaine (Vern) Malchow, sister-in-law; Janet (Ernie) Vielhaber, brother-in-law; Gene Bahr. Further survived by the mother of his children; Ruth Cook along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings; Earl (Betty Mathes and Geri Schneider) Mathes, June Wagy, Bernice (Marvin "Pete") Gutche, Elvira (Darwin) Kanz, Hal (Clara) Mathes, a son-in-law; Robert Cwiertniak, sister-in-law; Carol Bahr, brother-in-law; Gerald Brill.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at Bethlehem UCC (11608 Lax Chapel Rd. Kiel) with Pastor Randy Koppenhaver officiating. A time of visitation will take place at the church on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 from 3:00pm until 6:00pm. Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday morning from 9:30am until 10:45am when we will have a short devotion with the family before the service starts at 11:00am. Burial will follow in the Schleswig Cemetery, Rockville.

Will's family would like to thank the the St. Nazianz First Responders, doctors and staff at Chilton Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton. They would also like to thank the nurses and staff at Homestead Care Center and Home Instead and Compassus Hospice. A very special thank you to the many friends and neighbors who visited and helped Will and Lora in so many ways.