Kenneth H. Smits

Kenneth Henry Smits 78, of Franklin, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on September 2, 2021. Ken was born on December 15, 1942 in De Pere, Wisconsin to the late George and Martha (Vanderheiden) Smits. He was a 1961 graduate from De Pere High School. In 1965, he graduated from St. Norbert College with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting and went on to complete a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. He married Sally Weber in Franklin, on November 29, 1985. Ken worked in Higher Education Administration his entire career. He worked as the Comptroller at St. Norbert College as well as an Adjunct Professor; Vice President for Business and Finance at Marquette University, and Vice President at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy from which he retired in 2010. In addition to his professional life, Ken was also very generous with his time serving on many boards and committees in the community. Ken was a tremendous athlete lettering in football, basketball, and baseball at De Pere High School and basketball and baseball at St. Norbert College. He played baseball and softball for many years following his years at St. Norbert, eventually umping in the sport. While working at St. Norbert College he served as the quarterback coach of the football team. Ken was also an avid golfer. His passion for golf was shared by many of his family members and afforded him the opportunity to make friends who he enjoyed golfing with throughout the years, especially the guys at Muskego Lakes. He is survived by his wife and best friend Sally, his children: Rick (Karen) Marcott, Pam (Paul) Mathu, Jenny (Randy) Hanewall-Marnocha, Becky (Bob) Krause, Ryan Dodd; grandchildren: Cory (Morgan) Marcott, Erin Marcott, Rachel Mathu, Joe (fiancé Lizzy Bildings) Mathu, Drew Marnocha, Adam Hanewall, Kennedy Hanewall, Zachary Krause, Julia Krause, Elic Hays; great grandchild Elizabeth Marcott; brother, Clayton (Rose) Smits; sisters, Mary Jane (Don) Van Remortel, Dorothy Allcox; Sisters-in-Law: Ruth Smits, Barbara Smits, Joan Smits, Donna (Paul) Chamberlain, Cleta (Bob Wurzer) Weber; Brothers-in-Law Robert (Cindy) Weber, Tom (Sherryl) Weber, Pat (Debbie) Weber, Mike Weber, many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Bertha Kaczmierczak, Marie Albers; brothers: George Jr., Henry, Donald, Jerome, Robert, Richard; In-Laws: Phyllis Smits, Mary Lou Smits, Don Baeten, Tom Kaczmierczak, Sam Albers and Tom Allcox; Son-in-Law: Mark Hanewall; Carol Marcott Olejniczak, mother of his children, and Sally’s parents Cletus and Ruth Ann Weber. Family and friends may visit St. Martin of Tours, 7963 S 116th St, Franklin, WI, on Saturday, September 18, from 9:30 am until 10:45 am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am with the Rev. Peter Schuessler, SDS officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Norbert College would be appreciated.