Thomas Kaul

ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin

Thomas M. Kaul

1937 - 2007

BEAVER DAM - Thomas M. Kaul, 70, of Beaver Dam, died from complications of a stroke on Monday, Dec. 24, 2007, surrounded by his loving family.

Friends and family may call at the Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. On Saturday, friends and family may call at St. Katharine Drexel Church, 127 W. Maple Ave., from 10 to 11 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will follow beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, town of Beaver Dam, Dodge County.

Thomas Michael Kaul was born on May 9, 1937, in Watertown, son of the late Michael and Helen (Kreuziger) Kaul. He attended school in Watertown and was a 1955 graduate of Watertown High School. Tom served in the United States Navy from January 1956 to December 1959. On June 11, 1960, he was united in marriage with Josephine M. Ready at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Watertown.

Tom was the founder of Kaul Refrigeration Inc. in Beaver Dam and was the president from 1963 to 2006. He was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish. Before the churches combined, Tom was an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, serving on the parish council and the buildings and grounds committee. He was also a past president of St. Patrick's School Board and was instrumental in keeping the school open through a difficult period.

Tom had a passion for sports. He started girls basketball at St. Patrick's School and was the coach for several years. He enjoyed the Packers and the Brewers and was a college basketball fan.

Tom loved his grandchildren and enjoyed attending their various activities. He also loved to travel with his wife, Joey, and he enjoyed his morning coffee with “the coffee clutch” at Edith's. Tom had a creative and inventive mind and he always looked for ways to get things done, not a reason why it couldn't be done. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Pope John XXII Council 1837 in Beaver Dam, the AMVETS in Beaver Dam and the Beaver Dam Country Club Senior Golf League.

Survivors include his wife, Josephine “Joey” Kaul of Beaver Dam; four children, Julie (Greg) Steil of Beaver Dam, Kathy Kaul of Petaluma, Calif., Michael (Vickie) Kaul of Beaver Dam and Maggie (Brad) Starr of Neenah; seven grandchildren, Natalie (Kyle) Ross of Chicago, Katie Steil of Beaver Dam, Megan, Ryan and Joshua Thomas Kaul, all of Beaver Dam, Madeline and Abigail Starr of Neenah; a brother, Ed (Donna) Kaul of Watertown; a sister, Sr. Joan Emily Kaul, SSND of Mount Calvary; his father-in-law, Joseph (Bertha) Ready of Watertown; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Nancy (Kay) Buchert of Beloit, Thomas (Kathy) Ready of Watertown, Vincent (Connie) Ready of Escondido, Calif., Michael (Dawn) Ready of Watertown, Patrick (Deb) Ready of Stoughton, Carmel (Clifford) Lueck of Watertown and Steve Annis of Watertown; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law, Alma Ready; two sisters, Catherine Kaul and Bernadette Annis; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Ready; and a brother-in-law, Robert Ready.

The family suggests memorials be made in Thomas M. Kaul's name to St. Katharine Drexel School Endowment Fund, 117 W. Maple Ave., the MACC Fund - Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer, Inc., 10000 Innovation Drive, Suite 135, Milwaukee, 53226, or to be used for Masses.

The Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made on our Web site at www.MurrayFH.com.

Tom had a strong faith and he practiced that faith throughout his life by putting others first and by having compassion for others.

Murray Funeral Home 131 E. Maple St. Beaver Dam