Frederick C. "Fritz" Kestly, of Deerbrook, died Friday, February 25, 2022, at Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, Florida surrounded by his wife and family. He was 85 years old. He was born on June 22, 1936, in Antigo, a son of Charles and Ann (Francisco) Kestly. He married Gail Warchol on December 30, 1961, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Pulaski. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
While in Florida, Fritz was diagnosed with COVID-19. He was fully vaccinated and boosted, but because of his age and being immunocompromised, he was just not able to fight it off.
Fritz was a 1954 graduate of Antigo High School. He continued his education and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in 1958 with a Bachelor's of Science and from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1966 with his Master's Degree.
While at Antigo, Fritz excelled in football, basketball, track and also found time to be on the golf team. Fritz was inducted into the Antigo Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 as part of its inaugural class. Fritz' sports career continued at the University of WI-Stevens Point where he won nine varsity letters in the sports of football, basketball, and track and field. Fritz was named the school's Senior Athlete of the Year in 1958. Fritz is also a member of the UWSP Athletic Hall of Fame as both an individual (Inducted 1986) and as a member of the 1955 Conference Championship Football Team (Inducted 2015).
Fritz began his career in the Pulaski Community School District where he wore many hats: Varsity Basketball Coach, Phy Ed Teacher, Athletic Director, Football Coach, Track Coach and Dean of Students. Fritz' 40-year teaching career in Pulaski included 38 years as the Varsity Boys Basketball Coach which is what he is most known for. Upon his retirement from coaching in 1997, Fritz was the second-winningest basketball coach in Wisconsin state basketball history with a record of 543-269. Fritz led his Pulaski teams to the Wisconsin State Basketball Tournament in 1975 and 1989 and eight Bay Conference Championships. In 1998 Fritz was inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The Pulaski High School Fred Kestly Fieldhouse was named in Fritz' honor in 2000. In all of Fritz' accomplishments, he was quick to credit those individuals who helped him attain these honors. He was a mentor to many students and student-athletes that walked through the doors of Pulaski High School. Many of his former athletes and students said they became teachers and coaches because of him.
Pulaski is a place he called home and where he raised his family. Pulaski is and will always be a treasured community in the eyes of his family. It was also where his love for the color red never died.
All three of Fritz' children followed in their dad's footsteps and became teachers, continuing a legacy devoted to the importance of public education
To all the basketball officials out there whose calls Fritz may have questioned - he apologizes.
Following Fritz's retirement, he moved to Bass Lake. He was a member of the Antigo Elks Lodge 662 and he was also a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Elcho. He continued his hobbies of football officiating and golfing. Fritz officiated numerous Wisconsin State Football Tournament Championships and really enjoyed the camaraderie of the various reffing crews he was associated with over his 40 plus years of football officiating. Fritz's reffing buddies remained lifelong friends.
His favorite hobby was golfing, and he golfed right up until the end, including three holes(three pars) a few weeks before he passed. If you golfed with Fritz, you may have seen him throw a club or share colorful words. Fritz would continue to purchase brand new putters even though many told him it wasn't about the clubs. Wintering in Florida for the last 14 years allowed him to golf year-round with the love of his life, Gail.
Survivors include his wife, Gail; three children, Steven (Betty)Kestly of Oneida, Karen (Ted) Staege of Waunakee and Kathleen (John) Krause of Green Bay; nine grandchildren, Hannah and Chaz (fiancé Kayli) Kestly, Ryan, Jared (Hannah), and Cecilia Staege, Maegan, Isaac, Grace and Emma Krause. He is also survived by a brother, Richard Kestly; three sisters, Sandra (Dr. Peter) VanDerhei, Sally Zwicky and Mary Sue Kestly; a brother-in-law, Jim (Chris) Warchol; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Fritz was preceded in death by his parents; a sister-in-law, Shirley Kestly; and brother-in-law, Dave Zwicky.
Fritz was a devoted son, a loving husband, father and grandfather, a dedicated teacher, and a true and loyal friend. To all who knew and loved him, he will always be remembered as Fritz, Fred, Friendly, Freddy, or Coach.
Friendly Freddy will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him. He was one-of-a-kind. Please come and help us celebrate a life well-lived.
Services in Antigo will be held on Thursday, March 31 at the Bradley Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating and memories shared by the family.
Services in Pulaski will be held on Saturday, April 2 at Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. Visitation will be Saturday at the church from 9 to 11 a.m. The funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. with Rev. James Esser officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Fred and Gail Kestly Scholarship Fund at Pulaski High School. Checks can be made out to Gail Kestly with a note of scholarship fund.
The family would like to thank UF Health The Villages Hospital. We witnessed first-hand the devotion and quality of care that all his healthcare workers provided to Fritz during these overwhelming and trying times. We would also like to thank Cornerstone Hospice for the kindness and care they provided Fritz and his family during his end-of-life care.
You can view the Mass live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Assumption-BVM-St-Stanislaus-St-Casimir-Parish-Family-89119956934
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Frederick C. "Fritz" Kestly, please visit our Tribute Store
Services
Visitation
Antigo, WI 54409
Memorial Service
Antigo, WI 54409
Visitation
Pulaski, WI, United States 54162
Funeral Mass
Pulaski, WI, United States 54162
May you be comforted by the outpouring of love surrounding you. Thinking of you Karen and your family. We love you!
Stairway To The Heavens was purchased for the family of Frederick C. "Fritz" Kestly by Your 2nd Grade Family at Prairie.
"Coach Kestly" will remain in our hearts forever.
Memorial Tree was purchased for the family of Frederick C. "Fritz" Kestly by Michelle Kincaid and family.
Simply stated, Fred Kestly was a class act! I had him as a coach for both basketball and track. Not only was he an outstanding coach he was also a tremendous person. My dad was also a teacher at Pulaski HS and knew Mr. Kestly outside the realm of coaching. My dad also held him in high regard. May he RIP. Jim Parker, Waunakee, WI, PHS Class of 1964
When I played for Mr. Kestly I didn’t realize at the time everything that I would learn from the coach, but I believe today that much of my attitude toward life, work, and family was formed by lessons he taught me on the court, on the bus, and in school every day.
Many times he put fear in you as a player, (it was a different time), but there wasn’t a moment anyone questioned it. It was all about working hard and driving to be the best. My senior year I felt strongly that I should be starting—no one questioned coaching decisions, but I was a senior and after a few games it was pretty clear that I was outplaying the person ahead of me. I finally got the courage to talk with him and I’ll never forget the honest conversation that we had and the fact that I started every game the rest of the season. One-on-one he wasn’t scary. I don’t think I ever gave him any reason to regret that decision—I wouldn’t have wanted to.
I think of those moments fondly and treasure everything that Mr. Kestly taught me. I will always regret not finding an opportunity to tell him this directly.
He will be missed.
Fritz and i were Freshman at Stevens Point in 1954-55. We were on the football and basketball teams together. I transfered to Northland College in 1955 but got to know Fritz while coaching and teaching. We worked basketball camps in summers for the Bucks. Fred was a good person. We had many laughs over the years.
Tom Chvala Greendale.
Fritz was one of the very best basketball coaches and human beings I was fortunate to call a friend and compete against. Our profession was blessed to have someone of his character in our state. Genuinely learned about his outstanding athletic abilities/career when I finished my coaching career at UWSP. Talented, smart and a natural leader, just the kind of athlete you love to coach. Deepest condolences to Gail and his wonderful family. Sincerely, Jack & Sue Bennett
Great guy and so sorry for your loss. He was a really a fiery and passionate coach and I have to admit when I coached JV basketball at De Pere he scared the heck out of me! But as it turns out he was actually the nicest man on the planet. In addition I was also fortunate to connect with Coach Kestly as a Track coach…once again a class act. Coach Kestly WAS Pulaski and I’m sure many people are mourning his loss. Very few leave such a lasting legacy…I hope the family can take solace in that during this difficult time.
An absolute gentleman and great man. My sincere condolences to Gail and her children.
Chuck Enders, Wabeno
I'm so sorry Mrs Kestly and family. I loved Coach K like a Father. He was the best coach I ever had. I have nothing but great memories of "Friendly" as we called him. He will be greatly missed. You are all in my prayers.
Fred’s passing leaves a void in many of our lives. Even seeing him seldom reminded me of Fritz’s uniqueness and endearing qualities. He will remain evergreen in my memory.
Dick Bennett
We are deeply sorry, Gail.
Dan & Renée Wink
In my tribute I stated the incorrect years I attended high school. Oh the years are passing by. It was 1958-62.
Mr. Kestly, as we referred to him, was my Civics and PE teacher back when I was in high school from 1962-66. What I recall his patience and kindness during PE classes towards kids like me who were not that athletic. A real teacher on and off the court. May he rest in peace and may good memories of him sustain his family during this time of grief.
Jake Blasczyk
Loved him as a coach, would have gone through a brick wall for him! Very inspiring!
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