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Kautz, Ronald “Ron” R.

Ronald “Ron” R. Kautz, age 70 of the Township of Larrabee, passed away Friday evening June 23, 2017 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Ronald Roger Kautz was born at home August 5, 1946 in Marion, WI to the late Leo and Blanche (Nelson) Kautz. At a young age, the family moved to Clintonville. Throughout his school years Ron worked at his family’s car dealership washing vehicles and was also active in Boy Scouts and achieved Life Scout designation. After graduating from Clintonville High School in 1964, he attended Green Bay Technical College and received his accounting degree. Ron chose to serve the country he loved and went to basic training at Fort Leonardwood in Missouri, later serving in the National Guard. He returned to Clintonville to work with his father at Clintonville Motors Inc. Ron was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Schley, on August 12, 1967 at Christus Lutheran Church, Clintonville. He was very proud of being able to build a modern dealership facility completed in 2014; a legacy that will live on through his children and grandchildren. Ron made a life-long career out of his passion for helping people in his community find a suitable vehicle for their needs. Ron served many years on the Ford National Dealer Council as a Select Dealer Representative, the WATDA Committees; he was also a past president of WISCO. He truly enjoyed his work and you could still find him in the office up until three days before his passing. He was a member of Christus Lutheran Church, Clintonville, where he was very active with the Brotherhood; he also filled leadership roles in the church serving on both the Evangelism and Trust Fund Committees, on Church Council as Vice President, as well as ushering. He retired from the National Guard after 22 years at the rank of Sergeant First Class and remained active with American Legion Post #63, National Guard Enlisted Assoc. / 127th Infantry, and the Moose Lodge. He loved to spend time with his family, especially vacations with everyone in Mexico, most recently this last Christmas. He also enjoyed entertaining up at his “getaway” in the Land O’ Lakes area. Ron was also known as “nimble fingers” when he would play his accordion; it was usually followed up by dancing a polka or two. Ron will be remembered as a hard-working provider who made life-long friends with ease and loved and cherished his family.

Ron is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart of nearly 50 years, Mary; daughters: Karrie (Eric) Fugina, Bancroft; Kristal (David) Krajnak, Oak Creek; son, Ryon (Jodie) Kautz, Clintonville; grandchildren: Tyler and Tanner Fugina; Bryson, Peyton, and Sydney Kautz; Samuel and Elliana Krajnak; sister, Karmen Kautz, Muskego; brothers, Richard (Sharon) Kautz, Wisconsin Rapids; Garreth (Kristen) Kautz, Clintonville; a special aunt, Miss Gladys V. Kautz, Clintonville; Godsons, Greg Schertz and Jay Tews; life-long best friend, Leon Behnke and numerous beloved extended family members. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant brother, Michael Kautz.

Memorial services will be held 12 p.m., Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at Christus Lutheran Church, Clintonville, with the Rev. Brian Crocker officiating. Military honors will be conducted by VFW Post #664, American Legion Post #63, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit #63, all of Clintonville. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. To honor Ron’s memory, memorials in his name are preferred to the Christus Lutheran Church Roof Fund, Boy Scout Troop #28, Christus Memorial Camp, Christus Bells & Chimes Fund, or the American Legion Post #63. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville has been entrusted with Ron’s arrangements. An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.

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