Emil C. Kuba

Emil C. “Butch” Kuba was granted Eternal Rest on October 4, 2024. He was born October 26, 1951, in Appleton to Rosella and Emil Kuba. Butch attended Sacred Heart Grade School and Appleton High School before graduating from Appleton East High School in 1969. He married Mary Jo “Micky” (Clemons) Kuba on May 12, 1973, at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. They made their home and raised their children, Sarah and Matt, in Menasha.

Butch worked in the paper industry until his retirement in 2011. He spent the majority of his career with Voith where he traveled the United States and internationally to fix, build, and rebuild paper machines. He also worked at Quaker Dairy, Banta Paper Company, and Scapa.

With his mechanical ability and exceptional attention to detail, Butch could fix almost anything. From a young age, he worked on cars with his dad. Later, he owned and restored several muscle and sports cars. He was a regular at W.I.R. from early years working on a pit crew to later attending most weekly races to follow his favorite local drivers. For over 25 years, Butch also traveled to Michigan to camp and take in the NASCAR races with his good friends. He participated in racing experiences at the Milwaukee Mile and Chicagoland Raceway. In both events, he lapped the field.

Butch was an avid sports fan cheering on the Brewers, Packers, Badgers, and his family at various events. He attended many Brewers games including his honeymoon, Spring Training, opening day, and playoffs. Butch loved dogs and never missed an opportunity to pet a pup. He and Micky carried biscuits with them on their daily walks. Butch would often cross the street to treat any new dogs or old friends that he might encounter.

Butch is survived by his wife Micky Kuba; children Sarah (Steve LaPean) Kuba, Matt (Tess) Kuba; grandchildren Natalie and Ryan LaPean and Lucas and Crosby Kuba; sisters Nancy (Kim) Kreutzman, Sue (Steve) Kappell; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Emil and Rosella Kuba, and father-in-law and mother-in-law Edward and Florence Clemons.

The funeral liturgy for Butch will be held at 10:30 am, on Friday, October 11, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 410 W. Lawrence St., Appleton. Visitation will be held on Friday at the church from 9:00 am until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Fox Valley Humane Association or St. Joseph Parish, Appleton, are appreciated.

The family would like to thank the staff at Theda Clark Hospital and Cherry Meadows Hospice for caring for Butch during the brief illness preceding his death.