Anthony "Tony" Kontny

Anthony “Tony” Wayne Kontny, 48, of Little Chute, WI passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family. He fought a short but ferocious battle against cancer.

Tony was born and raised in Ashland, WI where he loved spending time with his grandparents and family, and was also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying all “Up North” activities, especially fishing and hunting.

Tony was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he served in Saudi Arabia as a Weather Specialist. After being discharged, he went to work in the paper industry and relocated to the Fox Valley. He worked at Clearwater Paper based in Neenah for 22 years before the mill was shut down. He excelled there and attended Fox Valley Technical School where he attained advanced knowledge as a Machine Operator. After the abrupt closing of the mill, Tony began work at Atkore in De Pere, WI where he quickly learned new skills as a Pipe Fabricator.

Tony married his soulmate, Sandi (Mako) Kontny in 2001 and welcomed the light of his life, daughter Ali in 2005. They have been residents of Little Chute for 20 years where they built a life, family and a vast group of friends.

Tony will be remembered for his charismatic sense of humor, kind-heartedness, generosity, love of food, cooking, craft beers, outdoor activities and being a WI sports fan (especially the Packers). He could chat the ears off of anyone and has never met a stranger- just friends he didn’t know yet. Those who crossed paths with Tony are aware of the pride and admiration he had for his wife and daughter. Family has always been his #1 priority and he will leave an enormous bear-shaped hole in all of our hearts.

He was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents Wayne and Jean Carlson, and Tony and Christie Kontny. Tony left behind his devoted wife of 22 years, Sandi (Mako) and his adoring daughter, Ali as well as their faithful dog, Jax. Tony is also survived by parents-in-law Louie and Karen (Kennedy) Mako and sisters-in-law Amy (Daina Skrove) Mako, niece Ruby, and Laura (Josh) Lange, nephew Noah and nieces Lily and Anna, parents Dennis and Janet (Carlson) Kontny, brother Brian and Stefanie (Broe) Kontny, and nephews Kye and Tanner. Many aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, friends and coworkers are all mourning his loss.

The family would like to thank the Dollevoet, Dove, Sorenson, and Janssen families for their enduring support and friendship. Special thanks to Dr. Liebelt and Jessica Ferge, NP-C at ThedaCare Orthopedics, Drs. Hamed and Klinkhammer and Registered Nurses Rachel, Reagan, and Jessica, Tower 7 and Respiratory Therapists Stacey and Rick at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center – Appleton. Thank you to ThedaCare Hospice Services for getting Tony home.

Please join us for the “Light up the Night for Tony” benefit and block party to celebrate Tony’s life on Saturday, August 26 from 5-10 pm at the corner of Jefferson Street and Cleveland Avenue in Little Chute.

The funeral service for Tony will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 1:00p.m. at the Verkuilen Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, 101 Canal St., Little Chute.  A time of visitation will be held on Monday, August 28, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 12:00p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home..  For online condolences please visit www.verkuilenfh.com. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.