Mitchell Kwaterski, Menasha, WI

Dr. Mitchell F. Kwaterski peacefully left his home and entered eternal life on July 4, 2024, fitting his fiercely independent spirit. He was born on February 18, 1938, in Green Bay, to the late Leo and Louise (Netols) Kwaterski, where he grew into a lifelong Packer fan. Mitch led a life of service and generosity, grounded in his Catholic faith. He graduated from Premontre High School, St. Norbert College (BS in biology), and Marquette University School of Medicine (MD). Upon graduating, Dr. Kwaterski interned at Anchor Hospital in St. Paul, MN, served in the US Navy as a 1st Lt. at the Naval Academy during the Vietnam War, and completed a residency in otolaryngology at UW-Madison. He practiced medicine at Ear, Nose and Throat Surgical Associates in Appleton from 1972 until he retired at the age of 71. 

Mitch met the love of his life in high school and married Carol Simons on July 7, 1962, at St. Kilian’s Catholic Church in New Franken. The couple enjoyed 62 years of marriage, during which they raised four children, and enjoyed welcoming nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Having learned to love sailing at the Naval Academy, Mitch spent some of his happiest times sailing with his family and friends on Lake Winnebago and around the Door County Peninsula.

Mitch was active in many community and professional organizations, including serving as President of Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgical Associates, Chief of Surgery and Chief of Staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital, President of the Outagamie Medical Society, and Commodore of High Cliff Yacht Club. He was an enthusiastic tenor for more than 30 years in the Holy Angels (and later St. Paul) Church choir. He found creative expression in woodturning and designing furniture. 

Mitch is survived by his wife Carol; children and spouses Kim (Duane) Lewis, Michele (Eric) Paulsen, Jeff Kwaterski (Isabel Manalo), and Melissa (Martin) Scanlan; grandchildren Michael Ennis, Brittney Lewis, Jacob and Benjamin Paulsen, Bella and Fia Manalo Kwaterski, Dominic, Lucas and Clara Scanlan; siblings in law: Nancy (Noren) Kwaterski, Lois (Vince) Koehler, and Kay (Carl) Deprey, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Louise Kwaterski, 12 siblings and in-laws: Agnes (Meredith) Nielsen, Beatrice, Celestine (Paul) Bickel, Dominic (Pat Maloney), Edmund (Garnet Schott), Felicia (Herman) Van Beckum, Genevieve (Raymond) Hoepfner, Helen (Cletus) Pierquet, Isadore (Carol Piewe), John, Kathleen (Richard) Hujet, and Sr. Louise.