Terrance “Tex” Kaiser, 85, of Stratford, Wisconsin, passed away on Monday, October 12, 2026.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Stratford with visitation from 9:00 am until the time of service. A livestream will be available on Tex’s obituary page at the time of service. Sauter/Rembs Funeral Home, Stratford is assisting the family.

Tex was born on August 29, 1941, in Stratford to the late Arnold and Mabel (Krieg) Kaiser. Raised in Stratford, he proudly lived his entire life in his beloved hometown. He was previously married to Sharon (Missar) Hardrath, a union that blessed him with what he always called his four most beautiful gifts: his children.

Tex spent his early career working for Northstar in Stratford, fixing and installing windshields. In 1970, he began a dedicated 33-year career with the Land O’ Lakes Cheese Corporation, retiring in 2004. Tex never met a cheese he didn’t like, and he built lifelong friendships during his decades there. He wore his company jackets, pins, and patches with immense pride well into retirement.

In his younger years, Tex was a serious bowler and a formidable fast-pitch softball player. Even after losing a portion of his thumb in a cheese-slicing accident, he maintained a stellar bowling average and a mean curveball, frequently bringing home winning treats for his youngsters. His love for softball transitioned into a prolific career as a WIAA state umpire, calling thousands of games for local schools and community leagues. Tex’s absolute favorite spot was behind home plate, where he could happily chat with everyone from the fans and coaches to the players themselves.

Tex’s true passion, however, was public transportation. Over a span of 50 years, Tex drove school buses and later operated a shuttle for the Marshfield Clinic. He was also a legendary driver for local bachelor and bachelorette parties, famously never turning down a driving request. Tex was exceptionally popular; a simple trip out of town with him invariably meant running into someone who had ridden on his kindergarten route, taken his wedding bus, or whose children he drove to school. He spoke of his driving career with endless fondness and deeply missed it after retiring at age 78. His vibrant spirit was even featured on the front cover of the local newspaper in an article highlighting his colorful personality, his love for his three-wheelers, and his Saint Bernards—especially his beloved dog, “Whitey.”

A man of quiet faith, hope, and love, Tex’s devotion to family was unmatched. He never missed a milestone, game, or event that was important to his children or grandchildren. Summers were spent camping in Wisconsin Dells and Northern Wisconsin, leaving the family with countless stories—including the unforgettable year they packed the tent but completely forgot the poles. A passionate vehicle enthusiast, Tex loved reminiscing about his past rides, including his '78 K5 Buck Smucker, his '73 Yellow Thunderbird, his prized '81 Corvette, and his “Great White” Lincoln Town Car. His family farm was famously recognizable to locals by the fleet of three-wheelers he kept ready for his kids and grandkids to ride on the farm.

It goes without saying that Tex never met a stranger. He could walk into a crowded restaurant and leave having befriended everyone in the room, always leaving people feeling better than when they arrived. He could talk for hours to anyone who would listen about his kids, grandkids, dogs, grand-dogs, and cars. In his later years, Tex enjoyed a quieter life at home with his sister, Maryann, and the two could be found out for lunch or dinner every day somewhere in Stratford or Marshfield.

Tex is survived by:

• His Children: Kristine (Nat) Madison of Iron River, WI; Connie (Quinton) Denzine; and Andrew-Aaron (Dushack) Kaiser.
• His Grandchildren: Justin (Lianna) Kaiser, Sydni Madison, Brandon (Garth) Davis, and Ashley (Jimmy) Maganas.
• His Great-Grandchildren: Cooper Kaiser (7), Lucas Fleischmann (10), Brayden Fleischmann (8), Liam Fleischmann (6), and Bella Newby (5).
• His Sister: Maryann Kaiser (91)

He was preceded in death by:

• His Parents: Arnold Kaiser (1983) and Mabel Kaiser (1984).
• His Infant Daughter: Sara Kaiser (1969).
• His Aunts and Uncles: George Krieg, Earl & Marie Krieg, and Harvey & Verene Wilde.

The family extends their deepest and most sincere gratitude to the team at NorthShore Medical Center for their exceptionally compassionate care. They would like to specifically recognize Vicki, who always made the family feel welcome and provided Tex with the absolute best care. As well as Maranda from Heartland Hospice, who never tired of the text messages or phone calls and gave dad and the family all the extra time she could!

Dad, we will forever miss your smile, your gentle spirit, your love for everyone, and your infamous thumbs-up. We will hold tight to your favorite one-liners: "Cool as ice, baby," "Hey dude." And “Love you more.”