Maude Helen Kautza
March 12, 1917 - February 11, 2018

"I have many wonderful memories of Aunt Maude. I can see her smile and hear her loving voice. What a beautiful soul! Margaret Jansen Lintereur "

"So sorry to hear of the loss of Aunt Maude! She was a very special lady. Many fond memories of our visits to Leonard and Maudes.... Leonards laugh and Maudes even kiel personality. They were always inviting and engaging.... I can remember when we visited the store. I remember Uncle Leonards laugh and. the smell his of his cigar. They always gave me an icecream bar or some candy.. They were both really good people.. So sorry for your loss... My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you! Stan Steckbauer and Jayne Alwin "

"My first memory of Maude Kautza was at Ron and Rita Benz' wedding. She and Leonard were strong and proud parents. Over the years, "strong and proud" always stuck with me whenever she would visit San Diego. This was an ideal that she passed onto her family and it has paid dividends. You lived a full life Maude, may the next one burn even brighter. John Benz"

"I am so sorry that you lost this very fine lady and terrific mother. I am sure she is in the loving arms of our great God with Leonard and Nick by her side. Maude had the patience of a saint. She already had 6 kids of her own and yet she allowed Jerry and I at different times to come and stay at your home for a week or 2 over several summers.. Those are among the fondest memories of my childhood. Being able to go to the grocery store that my "step uncle Daddy" Leonard and my Dad had owned together gave me a bit of a connection to a father I never knew. Being able to grab a ice cream bar out of the freezer now and then was an extra treat. I remember every noon she and Leonard would come home from the store and have lunch that Rita usually made and then they both would go off to the back bedroom and rest for a short time before going back to the store to work many more hours. One time I needed to get something out of that bedroom and I was allowed to go in. There they were laying side by side and holding hands. What a sweet memory. I also remember that she was surprised that I did not know how to iron. She promptly had Rita teach me so I could help out while I was there. I was delighted. I got to do something my mother would not let me do at home. But then when my mom found out, it was not so much fun anymore because it became my permanent job. I never enjoyed Christmas as much after Grandma died, as when we used to drive to Aniwa every Christmas for midnight mass and a gathering at Grandma and Grandpa's house afterward with your whole family and other relatives. Another memory just worked its way into my mind. I remember how cool it was to sit with all my cousins and Aunt Maude and Uncle Leonard at your house and see you all pray and laugh and interact with each other. At one meal, Aunt Maude told all you kids to notice that I did not sit with my elbows on the table and they should not either.. Little did she know that I usually sat with my elbows on the table too but she just caught me when I didn't. Could have been because the table was crowded and there was no room for another set of elbows. I am so privileged to have all these memories. Without Aunt Maude putting up with one more mouth to feed for several summers my life would not have been as enriched. God's blessing to all of you. You are in my prayers. Judy Belter"

"My condolence to all of Aunt Maude's family. Aunt Maude was always very laid back and patient except for one time when Greg and I walked out to the Hoffman farm and returned after midnight. We were suppose to be at the neighbors house. It makes me laugh when I think of it. Rita and I made her laugh and shake her head when she caught us licking the salt blocks in the back of the store. Her patience really showed when Greg and I were working on Uncle Ed's farm. I almost completely destroyed Uncle Ed's tractor and Greg almost blew up the farm driving up along side the fuel tank. For all her love and patience may she have her eternal reward in heaven. Sorry that we will not make it to the funeral we will be helping Jude with her move in Florida. "

" Blessings on the Kautza family as you honor Aunt Maude. She was a beautiful woman inside and out. That wonderful smile of hers let you know that she cared. We are all blessed to have known this wonderful lady. I am so sorry that we will not make it to the funeral. Jerry is recovering from a broken hip."

"Our sincere condolences to all of your family. Maude lived a long and blessed life and will be missed by everyone that knew her over the years. Whenever I recall my childhood days in Aniwa,, your mom and dad are always a warm and happy part of it. "

"Our deepest condolences to the family; we will always remember Maude's engaging smile. My mom fondly recalls all the auto trips she and Maude took to Antigo and Birnamwood thru the years, your mom a crack co-pilot when the two got in mom's '68 Oldsmobile for those trips. If it weren't for Maude, mom would still be lost on some of the back roads those two would take. God bless them both - glad they always had their guardian angels in the back seat, tho likely the angels were terrified at times. The Meidl Family"

"Andy and family. Your dad taught me bee keeping. First met your Mom at Chet and Emil's some years ago at diner. Such a full of love woman! Bless you all. Harold (Hal), and Carolyn Ehrenreich "

"Mike, Rita and family. Sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother. Your Mother and Dad were like family through the years growing up in Aniwa. I still remember selling green beans to your Dad at the store and he saying that some of the beans could be telephone poles. I also remember going to the store to get some meat from the rented locker and worried that I would not be able to get out once the door was closed. Your Mom and Dad were good people. Kate & Alan Hoffman - New London WI"

"Our condolences to the entire Kautza family at this difficult time. Maude lived her life in love, faith and grace. She was a good friend of my Mother's, a wonderful neighbor to all of us kids growing up in Aniwa, and a remarkable woman. Maude and Leonard's store was the happy mainstay of our town back then. They made a lovely family together over the years. Maude will be missed on this earth but rejoiced in Heaven. Jane & Jeff Binder - Sturgeon Bay WI"

"Such a beautiful woman who left her indelible mark on this earth. It was our privilege to know this lady and share in her many stories, songs, and love of life. May she bask in the glory of heaven and in the arms of her beloved Leonard and son, Nicholas. Rest In Peace, Maude. Your eternal reward is well deserved. Our love and prayers, Ken & Bonny Krupski "

"My favorite aunt! It was so much fun to stay with Andy and go to "the store" the minute you walked in you could hear Uncle Leonard laughing and Aunt Maude would notice us and say you boys look hungry hear is something for you to get you through till supper. what a great place to stay what a great example of Christian love in action. I was looking forward to hearing of her upcoming trip to 2010 restaurant for her birthday lobster dinner , I think they would of owed her some money this time, haha. Love to all so sorry we are in Florida so won't make it back but we will be Praying for all of you. Pete & Cher Tooley"

"My favorite aunt! It was so much fun to stay with Andy and go to "the store" the minute you walked in you could hear Uncle Leonard laughing and Aunt Maude would notice us and say you boys look hungry hear is something for you to get you through till supper. what a great place to stay what a great example of Christian love in action. I was looking forward to hearing of her upcoming trip to 2010 restaurant for her birthday lobster dinner , I think they would of owed her some money this time, haha. Love to all so sorry we are in Florida so won't make it back but we will be Praying for all of you. Pete & Cher Tooley"

"To all of you, our family tree lost it icon when Your mom passed.. she was everyone's favorite and the stories will be passed down for generations to come, I was blessed to enjoy her as my aunt for so long and she helped us all become the best we could be. Hugs and much love to each and everyone of you, your cousin, Elaine"

"Paul and family - so sorry to read about your mom but wow 100 years young - remembering all those summer days in Aniwa spent at your house - hugs and prayers to you Ann (Vandehey) Majewski"

"Greg--sorry to hear of your mom's passing--she lived a long and full life and was loved by many--Bob Bornemann"