Kenneth "Ken" C. Goetz

Kenneth C. Goetz, 69 Kenneth C. “Ken” Goetz passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 8, 2014. Ken was born on March 1, 1945, to Margaret and Carl Goetz, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated from Catholic Memorial High School in 1963. As a student, he played football and varsity baseball. He excelled in baseball, where he played center field, even receiving an invitation for a try-out with the Cleveland Indians. Following graduation, Ken enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving as a Communications and Navigation Systems Maintenance Technician from 1964 to 1967. Upon completion of his service, Ken returned to the Milwaukee area to attend college. Ken graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1973. He spent much of his professional life as an electrical engineer for Leeson Electric in Grafton, Wisconsin. During his time at Leeson, he developed computer programs to aide his design work. At the time of his retirement, he was a Senior Motor Design Engineer. Ken met his wife, Helen Pfeffer, on a blind date on New Year's Eve, 1969. Ken and Helen were quickly engaged, marrying on August 19, 1972. Ken and Helen were the proud parents of four children and doting grandparents of seven grandchildren. Ken took enormous pride in his family, and he adored his grandchildren. Ken had numerous hobbies, including woodworking, model railroading, and photography. He especially enjoyed crafting wooden toys for his grandchildren in his workshop, as well as building wooden frames for the artwork of his daughter, Susan. His attention to detail and quality of construction was unsurpassed. He was interested in genealogy and worked with his daughter Laura on building a family album. He also was an avid fan of the Milwaukee Braves and later, the Milwaukee Brewers. He shared his passion for baseball with his two sons, Carl and Daniel. At family gatherings, the three men were often found discussing baseball while watching the televised Brewers game. Ken is survived by his wife of 42 years, Helen C. (Pfeffer) Goetz; children Carl (Kristine) Goetz, Daniel (Jennifer) Goetz, Susan (Charles) Lawton and Laura (Andrew) Smith; and grandchildren, Robyn and Norah Goetz, Charles and Adelaide Lawton, and Elijah, Josephine and Theodore Smith. He is further survived by his sister, Mary (James) Pikulik, brother-in-law David (Karen) Pfeffer, and sisters-in-law Margaret (Robert) Filo, Catherine (Robert) Matson, Janet Pfeffer and Alice (Mark) Emerick, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Ken's family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Grafton Fire Department, the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office, Dr. Robert Huxley and Dr. Kevin Goniu. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 14, at 7 p.m., at St. Joseph's Parish in Grafton. Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 4:30 to 6:45 p.m.