Kristy Wenner

Kristy Wenner, age 66, of Manitowoc, WI, was called home to her eternal peace on Monday, June 2, 2025, at Aurora Hospital in Green Bay.

Kristy was born in Green Bay on January 16, 1959, to the late Ray and Elsie Grusznski. A graduate of Denmark High School, class of 1977, she went on to earn her degree in Business Administration from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, graduating in 1981.

Shortly after high school, Kristy met the love of her life, Craig Wenner of Maribel. They were united in marriage on August 21, 1981.

One of Kristy’s greatest loves was basketball. She was a trailblazer, playing on the first women’s basketball team at Denmark High School, where Coach Carl Paquet nicknamed her “Iceman” for her calm and strategic approach to the game. At Silver Lake College, she helped launch and played on the first women’s basketball program with Craig, who served as head coach. After graduation, she coached alongside Craig. Together, they led the team to success, including winning the NSCAA National Championship in 1991 in Lexington, KY.

In 1981, Kristy was selected for the Lake Michigan All-Star basketball team, touring Norway and Finland for three weeks. In 1986, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by playing with the professional women’s team, “The All-American Red Heads”—the female counterpart to the Harlem Globetrotters—where she even dyed her hair red to match the team’s iconic look. In addition to her basketball accomplishments, Kristy founded and coached Silver Lake College’s first women’s volleyball team in 1983, leading them to the conference playoffs in their inaugural season.

Following her graduation, Kristy began her professional career at Paragon Electric in Two Rivers, where she rose to the role of Marketing Communications Manager. In 1990, she made the decision to stay home to raise their son, Jordan. In 1995, Kristy and Craig founded their own business, Rocks and Docks, working as inspectors for various rock quarries and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Kristy remained dedicated to the business until her passing.

Kristy is survived by her devoted husband, Craig; her beloved son, Jordan (girlfriend Brittani Skalsky); siblings: Dave (Shelly) Grusznski, Debbie (Paul) Ossmann, Don (Robert McCarthy) Grusznski, and Sue (the late Jon) Yohanek; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three infant sisters, Mary, Karen, and Theresa; brother-in-law, Jon Yohanek; parents-in-law, Ward and Marge Wenner; nephew, Alex Grusznski; and a special aunt, Janet.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Cotter Funeral Home, 536 County Rd R, Denmark, WI, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with a memorial service to follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Bo Perkins officiating. 

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff at Aurora ICU in Green Bay for the exceptional care they provided to Kristy.