KAUKAUNA — Ryland Kautz, 6, a first-grader at Dr. H.B. Tanner Early Learning Center passed away Oct. 30 following a 15-month battle with brain cancer.
Since his diagnosis, numerous groups in the Kaukauna school community rallied around Ryland and his family, along with another Tanner student, Paisley Gritzuk, also battling a serious illness.
Kaukauna High’s Civic Engagement class held a fundraiser for the two students, as well as the football and basketball teams.
Ryland’s parents, Jeremy and Lindsay Kautz have shared Ryland’s journey publicly at https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rylandkautz. Ryland had one sister, Felicity.
Ryland loved collecting, especially Pokemon cards, trading “Packs for Pokes” he endured during his medical journey, according to his obituary.
He was very proud of himself for learning how to read and enjoyed the time spent reading before bed with his family. His favorite library books were about volcanoes, which he had a healthy respect for.
More than anything, though, Ryland loved his family and cherished every moment he spent with them.
A funeral visitation will be held for Ryland from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St, Appleton, WI 54911.
A second visitation will be held from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at the funeral home and will be followed by a funeral service at 4:30 p.m.
A memorial assembly is being planned for a future date at Appleton East High School.
