Center for Families

It is with great sorrow to announce that Center for Families has lost our Executive Director, Mike Kenitz. He passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 surrounded by his family. Center for Families will continue to operate under the direction of our Board of Directors and Interim Executive Director, Meg Miller. Meg has been managing our Respite Center for over 30 years and has been a close confidant to Mike and our Board.


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Kenitz, Michael M.

MADISON -Michael M. Kenitz, age 60, passed away at home on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on March 11, 1955, in Milwaukee, the son of Maurice and Bernadine (Prodzinski) Kenitz. He married Janet Yelk on March 30, 1990. Michael received his bachelor's degree from UW Green Bay and his masters in Social Work from UW Madison. He worked for Children's Service Society as Area Director in Madison for fifteen years, as Executive Director for Innovative Family Partnerships, Inc. in Milwaukee for 4 years, and concluded his career in non-profit work with Center for Families, which he lead as Executive Director for 8 years. Mike was passionate about the WIAA Boys State Basketball Tournament, eventually gathering a publish-worthy statistics and short story book on the matter. He was a true UW Madison basketball fan, along with many other athletics, personally enjoying and participating in a wide variety of sports his whole life. Mike loved gardening, and was inspired by the awe and beauty of nature. His other passions included: painting, reading, all mediums of art, trains, classic cars, architecture, and music as well. His career was one of his strongest passions, as Michael loved working with children and struggling, low income families, where his warm, caring personality shined. This aspect of his character was palpable through the love he showed his family, and how he selflessly devoted his life to them, whom he loved above all else. 

Michael is survived by his wife, Janet; daughter, Emily; son, Colin; mother, Bernie Ruh; two sisters, Nancy Yost and Diane Bazan; father-in-law, Zeno Yelk; sisters-in-law, Karen (Dave) Christianson, Margie (Charlie) Kline and Doris (Bill) Yelk-Wilberg; brothers-in-law, Donny (Lori) Yelk and Ken Yelk; special friends, Paul (Janie) Hertel; and his many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Maurice; and mother-in-law, Georgene Yelk. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at noon, on Monday, July 20, 2015, with Father Michael Radowicz presiding. Visitation will be held at church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Memorials may be made to Center for Families, Carbone Cancer Center, or to the family. The family would like to thank the doctors, and staff at UW Carbone Cancer Center, Agrace HospiceCare, and Center for Families for their wonderful care and support. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.