Kenneth E. Grissman

Kenneth Edward Grissman, 77, passed away at ThedaCare Hospital in Appleton on April 27, 2023, following complications from an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. He was born on January 24, 1946, the son of Edward and Margaret (Hartjes) Grissman. Ken graduated from Kaukauna High School in 1964. He graduated from UW Madison in 1969 with a degree in Sociology, and received a Masters of Science in Education-Special Education from UW Oshkosh in 1976. He married Mary Jane (Skell) on August 31, 1968. 

Ken enjoyed life, especially if he could spend it with his family. He loved the annual hunting trips to the family cottage in Homestead. While sitting in his tree stand, he designed the annual stained glass Christmas ornament for his children. He also enjoyed going to Wyoming elk hunting, where he was lucky enough to shoot an elk the two times he was there. He liked kayaking, biking and camping with his RV. He loved traveling to new and exotic places with Tom and Diane Borree. When he saw something on TV he had visited, it gave him extra joy. Basically he did and went anywhere Mary Jane wanted. 

Ken taught at Most Precious Blood School in New London for six years. He taught at Franklin Elementary School, Wilson Junior High School and Appleton North High School. Ken retired from Appleton Public Schools in 2003 where he was a special education teacher. He enjoyed teaching, and seeing former students when he was out in the community. Ken loved his apple trees. He liked walking around just looking at the apples and watching them develop. He enjoyed his time selling them at the Farm Market in Kaukauna. He loved it when someone asked an apple question. Pressing apples for his famous cider was his favorite culminating activity of the year.

Ken is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, of 54 years and their three children: Joel (Penny) Grissman and Chris (Jen) Grissman and his daughter, Ann Marie (Ben) Wilkes. He was thankful they discovered occupations that made them as happy as he was being a teacher. He was also happy that his children have found loving partners to share their life, and they have in laws that loved them as much as he did. 

Ken loved his grandchildren: Jordan, CJ (Heather), Hunter, Taylor, Austyn, Kendra, Aria, Mia Grissman, Reid and Stella Wilkes and great grandson, Odin.

Ken is further survived by his brothers Ves Grissman, Paul Grissman and his sister Linda Gossens and a sister-in-law, Connie Skell. 

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his mother and father-in-law, Martin and Esther Skell, a sister-in-law, Arlene Grissman, brothers -in-law, Maurey, Dan and Tom Skell and a sister-in-law, Peggy Skell. 

Ken’s family would like to thank Mike Evers and Josh Bougie for helping Ken with all his outdoor projects. We also would like to thank the nursing staff at ThedaCare Hospital for the care they gave Ken. 

In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established for the Appleton North High School Theater Department.

A mass will be held for Ken on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at St. Katherine Drexel Parish, St. Mary’s Church, 119 W 7^th St, Kaukauna. There will be a visitation beginning at 9:00 AM until the time of service.