Frederick Howard "Fred" Kane

Frederick “Fred” Howard Kane, 85, passed away on August 1, 2025.

Fred was born on May 9, 1940, to Bernard James Kane and Leone Beatrice Kane (Miles) in Stevens Point, Wis. He had three siblings: Mary Alice, Bernard Edward, and Janet Grace. The family moved to Chicago in 1944 and settled in Madison in 1952.

He was a proud graduate of Central High School in Madison in 1957, earning a certificate in automotive mechanics. Fred taught his children how things worked and how to fix almost anything-long before you could simply “YouTube” how to repair it.

After graduating high school, Fred worked on a farm, doing livestock trucking for George Hickey in Juneau, Wis. He returned to Madison and worked for Silver Springs Bottling Company before beginning his career in the medical field at St. Mary’s Hospital.  There, he worked his way up starting with yardwork, then moving to maintenance and driving for the nuns, before advancing to Purchasing Agent for five and a half years. Fred left St. Mary’s Hospital in 1968 to work for Badger Medical Supply in Madison as a successful salesman, a position he held for the next 40 years until his retirement in April 2008.

Fred met the love of his life, Roberta L. Hutzel, through Scouting, and they were married on November 25, 1967. Together, they celebrated 57 wonderful years of marriage.

Some of Fred’s fondest memories were the times he spent on a farm in Juneau owned by close family friends Marion and Howard Coyer. He found joy in scouting as a young man and shared this passion with his sons, both of whom participated in scouting, with his eldest son achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Fred paid forward his time and talents on many youth workcamps through Lake Edge United Church of Christ, serving as a chaperone with his wife and children, volunteering in inner cities and national parks.

He loved watching Wisconsin Badgers sports and never missed a Packers game. In 1984, the family bought a cottage on Lake Waubesa outside of Madison, which they rebuilt by hand into a beloved family retreat, creating years of cherished memories on the water.

Fred loved traveling.  During trips to Europe, he discovered a special fondness for Ireland. He and Roberta also enjoyed cruises with trips to the Bahamas and Hawaii, but his favorite voyage was through the Panama Canal. The family also enjoyed houseboat trips on the Mississippi River including one very special trip for their 40th wedding anniversary. Another favorite destination for Fred and Roberta was Door County, where they enjoyed watching the changing seasons, a good fish boil, and smoked fish from Charlie’s.

Fred was always willing to help others, greet new friends with a warm smile, and had a contagious laugh and personality that would light up any room.

Fred is survived by his wife, Roberta; sons, Robert B. (Regina) Maass-Kane of Windsor and Kristopher L. (Terra) Kane of McFarland; his daughter, Heather L. (Chad Terhorst) Kane-Terhorst of Mukwonago; and three adoring grandchildren, Annabelle L. Kane-Terhorst, Karter L. Kane and Breccan A. Kane; brother, Bernard E. (Ruth) Kane; and sister, Janet Grace.  He is further survived by many loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; brother-in-law, Robert McKoy; sister, Mary Alice McKoy; nephew, Dr. Bernard “Bud” Kane; and nieces, Kathleen M. (McKoy) Last and Janice Ballweg.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, Wis., at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Second Harvest Food Bank or McFarland United Church of Christ. A private family interment of his ashes will be at Highland Memory Gardens in Cottage Grove, Wis.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420