Hintz, Kenneth
Born in Dancy, Wis., on Jun. 16, 1916
Departed Apr. 1, 2016
Kenneth Hintz, 99, Rothschild, died Friday, April 1, 2016 at Rennes Health and Rehab Center in Weston, briefly under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.
Ken or Kenny was born on June 16, 1916 in Dancy, to Emil and Theresa (Steffanus) Hintz. He attended Thomas Edison Elementary School in Mosinee and graduated from Mosinee High School in 1935. Further education prepared him for a career as a tool and die maker. He worked in the Chicago Munitions Plant during the war. After the war, he worked at the Marathon Foundry and Machine Company for eleven years, largely in the role as supervisor. From 1953 to 1956, Ken worked at Marmet Corporation in Wausau. In 1956, armed with experience and ambition, Ken, along with two colleagues, started Wausau Metals Corporation in a beer distributor's warehouse in Schofield. In 1958, the firm moved to a site on West Street in Wausau. The company manufactured glass block ventilators which were placed in glass block walls for hospitals and schools. Wausau Metals quickly grew and expanded through the years. In 1968, Wausau Metals was bought by Apogee Enterprises and still exists today, 60 years later, as Wausau Window and Wall Systems.
Ken married Doris E. Bast from Colby on August 14, 1939 at St. James Catholic Church in Wausau. They lived most of their married life on Kort Street in Rothschild. Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, in 1992; his daughter, Nancy Stehly in 1994; and his three brothers, Clifford, Curtis and Orville. He is survived by three children, daughter, Diana Peterson Dodd (Roger) The Villages, Fla.; sons, John (Marlene) Hintz, Hudson and Robert (Kathy) Hintz, Gatlinburg, Tenn.; nine grandsons; two granddaughters; 14 great-grandchildren; son-in-law, R. Patrick (Barb) Stehly, Weston; and special and devoted friend, Margaret Holbach.
Ken was a charter member of St. Therese Catholic Church in Rothschild and the oldest member of the Parish Knights of Columbus where he participated in the annual selling of Christmas trees. He enjoyed many years at the cottage on South Twin Lake fishing, swimming, boating and water skiing. He added on to the cottage several times to accommodate his growing family. Ken took pride in his ability to fix almost anything, and at times, he developed devices to help him do the fixing. He hunted deer in Wisconsin and elk and antelope out West. He followed the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers zealously.
The funeral mass will be celebrated at Noon on Friday, April 8, 2016 at St. Therese Catholic Church, Rothschild. Rev. James Schaefer will preside. Burial will be in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Kronenwetter. Friends may call on Friday from 10:30 a.m. until time of services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Knights of Columbus.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff on the 100 Unit at Rennes for the wonderful support, care and kindness shown to Ken and his family.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
