Matthew Schenk (1967-2019)

Matthew T. Schenk, 51, of Kenosha, peacefully passed away at his home Sunday, July 21, 2019. 

Matt was born on September 8, 1967, to his mother Ruth E. Schenk and father Valient Litz. His grandparents were Peter and Hazel Mae Schenk.

He was a lifelong resident of Kenosha, attending McKinley Elementary, McKinley JHS, and Bradford High School and later earning his HSED from Gateway Technical College.

In his youth, Matt enjoyed having breakfasts and taking trips with his grandfather, spending time with his cousins, playing the clarinet in school bands, and was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he performed in the hand bell choir.

As an adult, he played baseball and later softball. Matt also coached his sons’ little league teams and his daughter’s basketball team. He took pride in sharing his athletic knowledge and skills with his children. He was an avid sports fan and his favorite teams were the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs.  Matt was also an enthusiastic wrestling fan; this interest solidified his bond with his sister, Susannah. His favorite wrestler of all time was Mick Foley.

Matt loved music; especially “Classic Rock.” It was an interest he shared with his mother, Ruth. RUSH was his all-time favorite band. He was able to see them in concert on his 40^th birthday with his children. Matt was such a music fan that he could often be found listening to a new song over and over until it no longer “gave him goosebumps”.

Matt was an animal lover; he found great joy in caring for his cats over the years, he was never one to turn away a stray.

In his professional life Matt worked as a Cultured Marble Technician at Laminated Products Incorporated and later as a Machine Operator at Mead Westvaco. Matt was a board member of the carpenters union while employed. Matt also drove taxicabs for a short time and worked as a delivery driver for several local pizzerias in Kenosha.

Matt valued his family and enjoyed attending family parties and traveling to see his extended family in Texas.

Above all else, Matt was the proudest of his three children.

Matt is survived by his mother and father, his sister Susannah, his former spouse, Hilary Johnson Schenk, children; Nicholas Schenk, Alexander Schenk, and Laura-Lynn Schenk, a Grandson Cameron Schenk, his Godson Kyle Raymaker, his aunts and uncles; Patricia Saenz (Al Saenz), Martin Schenk (Judy Gaal), Ginny Martínez (José Martínez), and Laurie Christman (Wally Christman), Kevin, Faye, Billy and Terry Litz, and many cousins.

His grandparents, whom he considered as parents, Hazel and Peter Schenk, his aunt Leona Schenk, as well as his cousin, Rick Saenz, preceded Matt in death.

Those close to Matt knew that he battled conditions that were detrimental to his mental health for many years. Despite his hardships, we have many good memories with him. Though his passing saddens us, we take comfort in knowing Matt has finally found the peace his heart and mind was seeking for so long. 

 
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3

A funeral service will be held at 9:30 am on Tuesday, July 30 at Trinity Lutheran Church. (7104 39th Avenue, Kenosha, WI)