Joseph A. Kmet

On Thursday, March 2, 2023, Joseph Andrew Kmet, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at age 79.

Joe was born to Emily Augusta Obosala and Joseph Kmet in Chicago on April 6, 1943. He graduated from Juneau High School in 1961, and served in the US Army at Fort Gordon. Returning to Milwaukee, he met the love of his life and wife of almost 54 years, Rose Marie Wenta (Kmet) of Milwaukee. They had 2 children, Joseph B. Kmet and Sarah (Paul) Kmet-Hunt.

A letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 35 years, Joe delivered mail to County Stadium as well as being an avid attendee at Brewers games. He was the kind of mailman that knew everybody’s name, inviting people on his route to Thanksgiving dinner if they had no family of their own. He even delivered kids’ Christmas letters to Santa on local cable TV. Everyone knew Joe for his deep kindness, along with his love of family, friends, food, fishing, and, of course, jazz.

He was a fixture at local jazz shows, later bewildering his grandsons, Ian and David Hunt, with comments like “I’m tellin’ you, music was just more modern in the 50’s.” His devotion to music and belief in life-long learning fueled a second career teaching jazz appreciation and piano lessons at Washington Park Senior Center, North Shore Senior Center, Clement Manor, West Allis Senior Center and LaFarge.

Joe, you’ll be missed by all who knew you.
We’ll think of you fondly and often,
‘Round Midnight or when we’re In a Sentimental Mood.
Because There Will Never Be Another You.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Jazz Institute at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Because nothing would make Joe happier than knowing that his legacy nurtured the next John Coltrane. Or at the very least, that he is forcing yet another generation to listen to, and maybe even appreciate, jazz.

Visitation from 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM, Service at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 10, 2023 at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin.  Burial at  Pinelawn Memorial Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.