Benjamin "Ben" Kuether

Benjamin Lee Kuether, 31, died unexpectedly on May 18, 2017. He was born in Wausau, WI, the son of Jennifer Kuether, on January 29, 1986. Ben began to speak early and never really slowed down. He was an avid reader and had a gift for language. He had uncanny good luck, with the ability to pick winning raffle tickets, bingo cards, the flavor he wanted from gumball machines, paddle sticks, and to find 4-leafed clovers. Ben grew up in Green Bay, WI. After graduating, he reluctantly earned a degree in welding from NTC in Wausau. However, Ben’s true passion in life was his music. Although he could barely read a note, he still was able to become a multi-faceted musician and could play nearly any instrument including drums, ukulele, banjo, guitar, harmonica, theremin, bass, keyboard, trombone, and even the washtub bass. He was a talented singer, sharing his voice with his beloved bands, most recently Seasick Felix and T.I.G.T. Ben was looking forward to a planned month-long tour coming up this June. Benjamin was the real deal, true to himself and his dreams. His smile, his laugh, and his invented witticisms would light up the room. He expressed himself through his music and his unique sense of fashion, haircuts, hats, and tattoos. No matter how difficult his struggles became, he persisted in following his calling and was most himself when he was entertaining. He was a free spirit, a great hugger, a fearless traveler, and he found new friends wherever he wandered. He was also, for reasons that befuddled him, the absolute favorite person to countless dogs he met along the way including DeeDee, Gizmo, Maisy, and Daisy. Ben loved deeply and was deeply loved in return. He was part of a large extended family, but was especially close to his sister, Lydia DeBauche of Green Bay. He is further survived by his mother, Jennifer Kuether of Green Bay; his maternal grandmother, Lois Kuether of Wausau; his uncle Joe Kuether of Wausau; his aunt Alice (Greg Strasser) Kuether of Wausau; his aunt Carolyn (John) Michkowski of Wausau; his uncle Daniel Kuether of Wausau; and his uncle Andrew (Line) Kuether and cousins Emma and Henry of Minnetonka, MN. He is further survived by many great-aunts, great-uncles, and numerous second cousins. His friends were not “like family,” but truly family to him. Most recently, he lived with his good friends Chris and Jessica. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Richard “Dick” Kuether, and his maternal great-grandparents, Vincent and Sylvia Stachovak and Clarence and Flora Kuether. Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N Webster Avenue, De Pere, on Thursday, May 25, from 4:00pm until the time of service at 6:00pm. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established. With the heartbreak of Ben’s passing, his family was comforted by the fact that he was able to become an organ donor as a final act of giving. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you honor Ben’s memory by supporting those who pursue unconventional passions and by loving those you hold most dear.