Kenneth I. Mather, 83, passed away peacefully at Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon on October 11, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family on a beautiful autumn day as the sun shone through the vibrant fall leaves.
Ken was born in West Allis, Wisconsin on September 15, 1939 to the late William and Alice (nee: Christian) Mather. He was a 1957 graduate of West Allis Central HS and was active in football, softball and volleyball. Ken honorably served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1961 as a quarter master for the 1st Calvary division in Korea.
On July 27, 1963, Ken married Kathryn Hondel. They were married almost 27 years, had 4 children, a home in Racine, a huge backyard garden, many family parties (the 4th of July parties were the best!) and made many memories before Kathy passed away from a short battle with cancer on July 5, 1990.
Ken was proudly employed by Teledyne WI Motors for 30+ years. He was a member & past president of UAW Local 238. When Teledyne closed, he was employed by the WI Department of Corrections for almost 10 years, worked at UW Milwaukee as a custodian and even made water wands in his basement. True to Ken's character, there was no hill too high to climb. He met adversity with fierceness and a quiet determination. He instilled that same work ethic and pride in his children. His oldest daughter, Denise, remembers Ken telling her about perseverance when she was having some difficulties with finding employment as a young adult. His words renewed so much hope for his daughter & have stuck with Denise since that day.
After his wife's passing, Ken met Diana Steger. They became a matched set and were by each other's sides for 31 years. 20 of those winters were spent in Ellenton, FL. Ken loved to play shuffleboard, go out to eat with friends, go to dances, go deep sea fishing & spend time with his and Diana's Tidevue friends! Ken was always an animal lover. Luckily, Diana was open to the idea of a pet. First was Maddie, Ken's Beagle Bassett who was always causing some trouble. Then there was Munchkin, a tiny grey kitty who Ken and Maddie rescued up near Ken and Diana's cabin in Montello, WI. Ken fed his love of reading and history in all the trips he & Diana took over the years. Some favorites of theirs were an Alaskan cruise, a trip to Hawaii/Pearl Harbor & the Caribbean. Ken was a kind, loyal partner to Diana especially during Diana's health issues, and Diana returned that love to Ken while he battled cancer. Diana's daughter, Shelley, also loved Ken over the years, and they formed a special bond. Ken was an affectionate man, Shelley loved Ken's hugs.
Ken was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, biking and running. Ken and his childhood best friend, Pat, learned to hunt together as kids; they never stopped hunting together until recently when both men faced health issues. Only that would ever stop those two from hunting! Ken took to running and biking after the age of 40. He ran the Lighthouse Run for many years, biked 100-mile century rides with his bike club. Ken shared his love of hunting with his son, Jeff and took him on many hunting trips in northern WI. Jeff continues to enjoy hunting and finds peace in his tree stand, much like Ken did. Jeff recalled a memory of Ken being a part of a hunting group who would go to Colorado to elk hunt, aptly named the "Elk-a-Holics". Ken's love of the outdoors was tested during the Blizzard of '79. The Mather family was driving home from Chicago to Racine, Ken at the wheel. The four kids were in the backseat, Ken's youngest daughter, Becki, was bouncing around and asked her father, "daddy, can you catch me a butterfly?" to which a dumbfounded and stern, "no, Rebecca, I can't" came from Ken as he was concentrating on keeping his family safe. Becki, in her three-year-old mind, did not find Ken's answer adequate, so she asked, "daddy, can you catch me TWO butterflies??" Obviously, Ken was Becki's hero from her childhood on, thought her dad could do anything! Once back in Racine, Traci remembers Ken playing outside with his kids and building an igloo with them! Ken's love of being outside will live on in all his children, but especially his daughter, Traci, who would much rather be anywhere outside or on a beach skipping rocks just like Ken taught her. Ken will also be remembered for his dry sense of humor, that legacy will live on through anyone who met him!
Ken is survived by his beloved partner, Diana Steger, his daughter Denise & husband, Terry Strandell, daughter Traci & her wife, Patti McAuliffe, son Jeff & wife, Lisa, daughter Becki & husband, Greg Smith, Shelley Maddux & partner, Leon Schwartz. Ken is also survived by 6 biological grandchildren, Leah & Kayla Strandell, Kyle & Sam Mather, Logan & Delaney Smith. Ken shared a granddaughter with Diana, Elizabeth Castino. Ken loved his grandchildren very much! Finally, Ken's godson, Michael Hondel, who he considered a son more than a godson.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Ken was preceded in death by his cherished grandson, Jacob Lichter, son of Jeff Mather & Amy Lichter.
Ken's family wishes to extend deep gratitude to Dr. Thomas Giever, Dr. Selim Firat, the oncology team at Froedtert Drexel Town Square, the Horizon Hospice staff & the hospice team at Lawlis Family Hospice for the exceptional care they provided.
A committal service with full military honors will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 11:00 am at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Froedtert Cancer Center in Ken's memory are appreciated.