Earl Theodore Kuether (Ted), Roberts, Wis., died peacefully on June 28, 2024 at Kinnic Health and Rehab in River Falls, Wis.
Ted was born Jan. 31, 1929 in Shiocton, Wis., the son of Earl Willis Kuether and Elsie Mathilda (Steidl) Kuether.
Ted began working for the State of Wisconsin in July of 1952. He had numerous titles mostly associated with the position of Accountant. He married Sylvia Sophia Janssen in November of 1952. For the next 20 years they worked and lived in and around the Madison, Wis. area. In 1958 daughter Kim was a welcomed addition to Ted and Sylvia’s family followed by David in 1960 and Vicki in 1966. Ted enjoyed being outdoors and in earlier years enjoyed tent camping at Wisconsin State Parks with his family. Eventually the tent was replaced with a small mobile home and then a cabin near Drummond, Wis. He and Sylvia spent many hours fishing for whatever was biting and mostly enjoying each other’s company.
In 1972 Ted and Sylvia moved the family to River Falls. Ted began working at UW-River Falls and was appointed Assistant Chancellor. For the next 18.5 years Ted stayed at UW-River Falls until he retired in January 1991, as Assistant Chancellor for Business and Finance.
Once Ted retired, he and Sylvia decided to travel the United States, mostly by car. They also purchased a fifth wheel mobile home in a Florida retirement park to join many others looking for a temporary break from Wisconsin winters.
He loved golfing with his friends and stayed active on local courses as long as he was physically able. He and Sylvia enjoyed listening to polka music and attending polka events when they could. Ted and Sylvia were both active in the Catholic Church most of their adult lives.
Ted is survived by his children, daughter Kim (Alfredo) Pou of Miami, Fla., son David of Roberts, Wis., daughter Vicki (Mike) Toy of Bear, Del., sister Kay (Len) Guyette of Appleton, Wis., grandsons Alex, Julian and Gabriel Pou, grandson Daniel Toy, five great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Ted in death were his parents Earl and Elsie Kuether, devoted and loving wife of 67 years Sylvia Sophia (Janssen), sister Rosemary DeMerse, sister Barbara Jean Jurack.
At the time of Ted’s death he was under the care of Kinnic Health and Rehab in River Falls. Ted was also receiving Hospice Care at this time provided by Adoray. All of the nurses and a variety of additional administrative staff and support staff and many others from both Kinnic Health and Rehab and Adoray Hospice Care provided excellent care to Ted and his family. They truly had a significant positive impact on Ted and he spoke almost daily about how fortunate he was to receive such good care from all of them.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon on Aug. 23, 2024, at St. Bridget Catholic Church: 211 E. Division St, River Falls, WI 54022. A Visitation will be at the church at 11 a.m., prior to the service. A light lunch will be served following the mass at the church.
Services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of River Falls, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com, 715-425-5644
