John E Mckenna

John E. McKenna, MD, of Antigo, WI, died on April 7th, 2023 in Antigo, WI. He was 90 years old.

He was born August 24, 1932, in Antigo, WI, son of the late Dr. Eugene A. and Clara R. (Rood) McKenna.

He married Elsa Mann on August 24, 1963, at St. John Catholic Church, she survives.

John graduated from St. John Grade School; Campion High School, in Prairie du Chien, WI; University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1954; and the University of Wisconsin Medical School in 1957. He interned at Oakland Highland Alameda County Hospital in California from 1957 to 1959, and he completed Pensacola Naval Aviation Flight Surgeon School in June 1959.

As a US Navy Lieutenant, he was assigned to the United States Marine Air Group 13 stationed in Kāneʻohe, Oahu, Hawaii. In 1961, he returned to Antigo to join his father's medical practice.

He married Elsa Mann, a University of Wisconsin Langlade County Home Agent, in 1963.

He and classmate Dr. Ted Fox formed the General Clinic, a family medical practice. He served as hospital Chief of Staff, Antigo City Health Officer, and participated in the medical residency program at UW as Associate Prof of Medicine. He retired in 2000 while continuing to serve Eastview Medical and Rehab Center as Medical Director until 2008.

He was a member of St. John Catholic Church and served on the Finance Committee, Parish Center Committee, School Construction Committee, Gathering Room Construction Committee. He also served as a lector and was tolerated as a choir member for many years.

He was an Antigo Unified School District Board Member from 1984-1987. He was on the Peoples Bank Board of Directors. He received the Junior Chamber Commerce Citizen of the Year Award in 1966, the Antigo Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award in 1985, and the University of Wisconsin Alumni of the Year Award in 2005.

He was a member of the American Medical Association, Medical Society of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Nursing Home Medical Directors Association, serving on their Board of Directors. He was a founding member of Civic Investors and the Antigo Area Youth Hockey Association. For over 15 years he contributed a monthly article for the Antigo Daily Journal's "Family Prime Time".

With Pat Diercks, he started the annual Antigo Tater Trot 10K race, now run as an annual function of the Optimist Club in its 42nd year.

He led a community drive to fund and build the Clara R. McKenna Aquatic Center, named in honor of his mother. The pool was dedicated in 2004 and was gifted to Antigo High School.

John is survived by his wife, Elsa, of Antigo and children; Sean (Karen) McKenna of Reno, Nevada and children Kyle and Libby; Laura (Bud) Ellis of South Portland, Maine and children Tommy, Clara and James; Peter (Anne Macdonald) McKenna of St. Paul, Minnesota and children Jack and Nick; Gene McKenna (Kara McCarthy) of San Mateo, California; and children Cooper, Sawyer and Bowen; Nicole McKenna Bailey of Antigo, and children Nathan, Beth, and Stephanie, and grandchildren Oliver and Max; Will McKenna (Angeline Lim) of Scotts Valley, California; and children Anders, Sophie, and Jerome; Phil (Rachel Parrish) and children Finn and Talia of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Also surviving are one sister, Katie McKenna Wilkes of Colorado Springs, Colorado; three brothers, Geno (Didi) McKenna of Fort Myers, Florida, Joseph McKenna of Antigo, and Tom (Jean) McKenna of Muscoda, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Pat McKenna and Mary Dwan, and brother Mike.

The Memorial Mass for John will be held Friday, April 21, at 11:00 am, at St. John Catholic Church, 415 6th Avenue, Antigo with Father Joel Sember officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until time of Mass.

Memorials have been established for the All Saints Catholic School, St. John Church, Aspirus Langlade LeRoyer Hospice Services aspirus.org/the-community-health-foundation and for the Clara R. McKenna Aquatic Center Endowment Fund care of Antigo Unified School District. See Below for addresses.

Antigo Unified School District:

Clara R McKenna Aquatic Center

120 S Dorr St, Antigo, WI 54409

Saint John Church:

415 6th Ave, Antigo, WI 54409

All Saints School:

419 6th Ave, Antigo, WI 54409

LeRoyer Hospice

112 E. Fifth Street, Antigo, WI 54409

Strasser-Roller Funeral Home assisting the family.

Family and friends may visit strasserrollerfuneralhome.com.