Ivan Thomas Kent

Ivan Thomas Kent (“Pete” to many friends), age 82, died at home surrounded by his wife and children on 5 January, 2018.

Ivan is survived by his wife and best friend of 59 years Margaret “Peg”, son Ivan (Zuzana), daughter Theresa, daughter Adrienne (Chad) and grandson Ivan.  He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Peter and Brenda Angus, and their children Tracey (Keith) and Peter in Derbyshire, England. 

Ivan was born and raised in Derby, England.  He claimed to have been on his way to Australia by sea (aboard the RMS Saxonia), but ran out of money when he got to Canada in 1956.  After working in Toronto for 2 years, he attended the University of Waterloo, where his landlady introduced him to the indomitable Peggy Gibson, fresh off the prop plane from Glasgow, Scotland in 1958.  It was love at first fight and they went on to be the best of friends and verbal sparring partners.  They married on June 23, 1962 in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.   Ivan graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1963 and began working for Kimberly-Clark Corporation in Toronto.  They welcomed their 3 children into the world in Canada.  The family moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, for 2 ½ years before being transferred by Kimberly-Clark in 1979 to Appleton, WI.   Ivan retired from K-C in 1999, after over 40 years of service and much overseas travel. (So he eventually did get to Australia.)

Ivan retired to a quiet life of doting on his grandson and building model ships in the “shipyard” (basement).  Mostly doting on his grandson. He will be remembered for his dry wit, his kind and steady presence, his love of English murder mysteries and his enduring generosity to his family, of whom he was so proud.

A Memorial Mass will take place at 11:30 am on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 500 W. Marquette St., Appleton, WI.  Friends may visit the church from 9-11:00 am.  Ivan’s son will address family and friends at 11 am in the north narthex with family memories and stories. The Mass will follow.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to:

St. Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, 1506 S. Oneida St., Appleton, WI 54915-1397 or you may also contact the foundation at (920) 831-1475.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the fine staff at St. Elizabeth’s hospital.  

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