Willard Clarence Kickbusch

Willard C. Kickbusch - W.C., passed away at the age of 94 on March 22, 2024, at Bellin Hospital after a long series of health issues over the past year.

WC was born on May 3, 1929, to the late Clarence and Gertrude (Tegen) Kickbusch in Kewaunee. From the start he was a "force of nature". Grandma always said never name your kid Willard - they're sassy! Many the stories were told of the trouble him and some of the guys could get into.

WC was a hard worker from helping his Uncle Ken on the farm, to working for the pop shop driving and unloading trucks, to working on the railroad on many hot summer days. Lots of good stories. He then began a job with the Kewaunee County Highway Department - Plowing snow thru many snowstorms and doing road work and paving in the summers. He was a graduate of Kewaunee High School in the class of 1948.

He met his wife Jeanne Houghton at Rock Falls in Dykesville and they were married in 1955 in Manitowoc. They lived in Kewaunee all their lives until mom passed away in 2018 after 62 years of marriage.

During this time he started his own business - W.C. Kickbusch Concrete & Masonry. Between him and his brother Donnie, many a house was built, basement blocked, driveway, sidewalk, and houses poured throughout Kewaunee. He also at this time became foreman at the Kewaunee Hot Mix Plant.

Mom & Dad built the house on Second St and Raised 5 kids there. Many the stories again & parties & memories at the house. They moved to the smaller house on Third St when the big house became too much.

Dad was also a politician - he served on the Kewaunee County Board, and many committees thru the years. He always tried to do what was best for Kewaunee - which didn't always agree with other people - this led to many heated discussions & the occasional poke in the nose!!

He loved to talk and discuss and try to solve the worlds problems - the Fitness Center Discussion Group was his favorite place in his later years, and sitting in the garage maybe having a cold one.

He liked cooking and was always interested in how something was made. He loved pie - Tammy make a pie - and if she didn't, he did! He always had a garden too!

He also belonged to the Free Masons and he achieved the rite of Master Mason.

We will miss his "you gotta go to work" and his opinions on everything!! And, seeing him driving his truck around "to check on things."

He is survived by his 5 children, Debra (Brian) Duescher, Ellisville, Michael Kickbusch, Nowhere USA, Tammy Paplham, Algoma, Thomas Kickbusch, Luxemburg, Patricia Weyenberg, Algoma; his step-daughter, Julie (Dennis) Adelmeyer and her family, West Virginia; his 10 grandchildren, he called them his "peaches" and loved to hear stories about their jobs and lives, Jessica (Aaron) Schuster, Jeannie (Ed) Connors, Desiree (Steve) Lambrecht, Bridget Cismoski, Cody Paplham, Zachary (Keighley) Kickbusch, Chelsea (Tyler Dorn) Kickbusch, Ashley (Kyle) Thompson, Anna (Tim) Weyenberg, and Maxwell Weyenberg; 10 great-grandchildren, Claire, Evan, Lukas, Beau, Trevor, Liam, Leigha, Quinn, Asher, Jonas, and 2 more on the way! He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Lori, his 3 nieces, Linda (Lane) Hurley, Sally (Noel) Deda, Sheri (Jim) Smidel, and their families, Lori's daughter Rhonda and Mindy and their families; as well as by some very special cousins, his fitness club buddies, the Third St neighbors, Glenn and Julie and his basketball buddies.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Donald, his in-laws, Clarence and Leona Houghton; Lori's son Robby; his former sister-in-law, Marion; cousins and lots of buddies, Hawk, Geno, and some many more that we heard countless stories about.

Visitation will take place at Kinnard Funeral & Cremation Services - Kewaunee from 9:00-11:30 am on Monday, March 25, 2024. A Masonic service will take place at 11:30 am and be followed by a time of fellowship. Online condolence messages may be shared at KinnardFCS.com.

The family wishes to thank SO MANY people - Lori, for all the time and advice, and the patience with dad, Glenn his neighbor for helping dad so so much and keeping an eye on him too. Tammy, for all the time she was there. Bellin Hospital and so many teams of nurses, Zarine, Jo, Mary, and so many more. Unity Hospice for their kindness. And all his buddies around town and the fitness center. Thanks to all.

We all hope dad is having a dinner of ham, sausage, and bacon with German potato salad. No more worries about SALT and pie, lots of pie!! Tammy bake a pie!!