Louis Edward Maylander, devoted husband, father, brother, social worker and friend, passed away at home on Sunday, October 11, 2026. He was 76.

Born on Saturday, May 27, 1950 in Newark, NJ to Edward and Henrietta (DuFrane) Maylander, Lou grew up with many foster brothers and sisters, one of whom - his brother, Gary Owen - officially joined the family when Lou was 13 years old.

He completed undergraduate studies at Montclair State University (NJ) and his Masters in Community Mental Health from the University of Northern Illinois. A short time later Lou met his soon-to-be wife, Kaeleen Rae (Mickley), and the couple married in 1981. They were blessed with a son, Timothy Louis, in 1986.

For 33 years Lou served as a clinical social worker for Manitowoc and Outagamie counties. He helped hundreds of clients suffering with mental illnesses to thrive in their respective communities and function independently. He never saw the people he served as anything less than himself - he treated everyone with the love, dignity and respect which all people deserve. He left a lasting impact on Northeast Wisconsin through his relentless pursuit of outpatient care for the chronically mentally ill.

Lou loved being around people and socializing. He especially loved watching Tim play hockey, hosting gatherings at his house and leading Bible studies. He was a founding member of Celebration Lutheran Church in Appleton, and later became a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Greenville. Through this latter ministry, Lou was an active volunteer with the Ruby’s Pantry food program for over 10 years, providing thousands of food parcels to community members in need. He would say he was “blessed to be a blessing.”

The only people who loved Lou’s garden as much as he did were his neighbors, who always got zucchinis and tomatoes at harvest time. Not satisfied with just helping his community, Lou loved to talk to people via Ham radio, connecting with hundreds of fellow amateur radio enthusiasts across the country and even the world. He also worked as a volunteer for St. Elizabeth Hospital, assisting people there in getting where they needed to go. A student of history (his first degree), Lou was a true Renaissance man, enjoying fishing, theater and a good beer - but his true passions were his work and spending time with family & friends.

Lou was preceded in death by his mother Henrietta, his father, Edward and a grandpet. He is survived by his wife, Kae, his brother, Gary, his sister in law, Marcia Mary Maylander, his son, Tim, his brother in law, Ralph Emil Henry Mickley, his brother in law’s wife, Linda Jean Mickley, his daughter in law, Mary Catherine Stallings and four grandpets.

Services for Lou will be held at Shepherd of the Hills, N1615 Meadowview Drive in Greenville, on Tuesday, November 24. Friends and family will gather starting at 9 a.m., and the memorial will begin at 11 with lunch to follow. All who knew Lou and were blessed to spend time with him are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses (NAMI), the American Heart Association and/or Shepherd of the Hills.

Lou was so loved and made such a difference, even if he rarely saw the latter. May he find peace and rest in the next chapter of his epic story.