Kent L. Murdock, a lifelong resident of Shawano, WI, was born on 7/22/27 to Earl Murdock and Hertha (Schaar) Natzke.  He often noted that his birthdate was a palindrome, and was thrilled that he shared that month and day with his granddaughter, Heather.  He pointed out to his granddaughter, Alexa, that they both had palindrome birthdates.  And his granddaughter, Mitzie, has a numeric rhythm to her birthdate as well.  This was the kind of trivia he enjoyed sharing with his granddaughters whom he cherished so.  Although not a palindrome but in keeping with numeric patterns, he passed away on 10/15/20.

After being apart for almost two years, "Merts" has been reunited with his wife, "Betts."  There is no doubt that after celebrating with family, he went to the rainbow bridge to greet the many hunting dogs that were his faithful companions over the years.  Besides being a devoted husband and father, Merts wore many hats throughout his storied life of 93 years.

Summers spent as a youngster on his grandpa's farm in Wittenburg, WI during the Great Depression were some of his fondest memories; he told those tales with a glint in his eye and a chuckle.

As a teen, he was a prankster, often recounting the punishment that he and his friends endured after a night of tipping outhouses: they were pulled out of school the following day to set the privies back on their foundations.  The recounted mischief would dance in his eyes as he'd explain that being outside on a sunny day riding around with friends rather than sitting in school didn't really seem like punishment.  Shawano High School granted him a diploma and bid him adieu in 1945.

Kent was inducted into the Army in October 1945 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois.  He served in the Medical Corps as a baker.  He was stationed at Mother Cabrini Hospital in downtown Chicago and at the base hospital in Camp Custer, Michigan, where he spent most of his service.  He was proud to have made the lives of the wounded soldiers at the hospital a little better by using his culinary skills to provide baked goods for the "unofficial" evening parties in the wards.  After two years of service, Kent was honorably discharged in October 1947 as a Technician 5th Grade (Sergeant).

He furthered his education at UW-Madison, where he graduated from the College of Agriculture Dairy Short Course.  He worked at the Shawano Ice Cream Company for a couple years. After passing the Civil Service exam he became a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal service until his retirement at age 49.  Being an energetic young man and supporting a new family, he also tended bar at Al Pleshek's Bar in Shawano at night after walking mail routes during the day.  As a letter carrier, Kent knew every street in the Shawano area, and many people in the community.  He was always grateful to those who had a sprinkler spilling over onto the sidewalk on a hot summer day as he walked the route.

On August 25, 1951 he married Betty A. Lemke and together they raised five children. His patience with babies, children, teens, and young adults seemed infinite.  He was often found on the floor playing with a baby, or walking the floor consoling a crying baby.  Baking bread with his grandchildren was a messy but memory-making endeavor.  His kind-heartedness was only outdone by his wisdom; as his teenaged children and grandchildren would head out the door, his words of "use your head for something besides a hat rack" trailed behind them.  Regarding alcohol and baked goods, he'd remind, "they are made to enjoy, not to fill up on": although overindulging on bakery may have occurred once or twice.

He found solace in the beauty of the outdoors and spent many hours fly fishing, duck hunting, deer hunting, pheasant hunting, turkey hunting, and dog training.  His hunting and fishing adventures were as much about feeding a family of seven as they were about communing with nature and spending time in multigenerational antics.  As much as he supported active endeavors, he was adamant that "children need time to just sit back and watch the clouds go by."

The challenge of completing a crossword puzzle, reading a military history book from cover to cover in one sitting, or playing a rousing game of cards were but a few of his intellectual interests.  His favorite card game was Schafskopf, also known as Sheepshead.  He was a helluva table talker, and somehow he knew the cards held in each player's hand.  He'd often tell them what they were going to play before they played it.  "First you get their goat, then you get their money!" was his usual exclamation.

A vocabulary lesson was often intertwined with his infamous pancake breakfasts.  "None of that ersatz maple syrup in this house!"

His dream of operating a game farm, trap shooting range, and hunting dog training business began when Kentwood Farm (commonly referred to as just "the Farm" by family and friends) was established in 1967.  Some dreams became full reality while others were not to be.  Many game farm members became lifelong friends.  His legacy through the Farm was much more than a business opportunity; it provided a treasure trove of memories for many generations of friends and family.  There were many tire tracks in the fields as a result of teaching his children and grandchildren how to drive: and equally as many hilarious stories of those lessons, some known, and some kept secret to this day.  Every grandchild has memories of sitting on Grandpa's lap with him reassuring them that they couldn't hurt the chunk of metal they were driving.

His ability to form a relationship with and train dogs was incredible.  His theory was "raising children is like training dogs; 95% praise and 5% discipline."  He fully understood that some people didn't appreciate the comparison of children and dogs, but he was actually more concerned that, in both cases, praise and encouragement should be heaped on, while discipline in the form of correction not punishment, should be spared.

His heart for all youth and seeing them succeed was evident in his roles as a Boy Scout leader, Swimming and First Aid instructor, and Executive Director of Big Brothers & Big Sisters.  He was also instrumental in starting the Youth Trap Shooting league at the Shawano Gun Club.  Through the years family members have often encountered people who told stories of the impact he had on their lives.

Kent loved his family fiercely and is survived by his five children, Randy, Todd (Lesli Krueger), Jodie Thompson, Tom, and Nancy (Greg) Curtis; eight grandchildren, Josh (Renza) Thompson, Ryan Murdock, Dustin (Andrea) Murdock, Heather Thompson, Trevor (Jennifer) Murdock, Mitzie (Frank) Klozotsky, Luke Curtis, and Alexa Curtis; and 13 great grandchildren and step great grandchildren, Payten, Jorden, and Teagen Thompson, Richard, Reef, and Morgan Anthony,  Jakob and Jordan Murdock, Lucas and Max Murdock, Lillien Murdock, Carter and Molly Klozotsky, and by nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents; a great granddaughter, Emma Murdock; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Don (Elvira) Murdock and Larry (Janet) Murdock.

A special thank you to Airiel Adkins & Macie Kuehne for your care and compassion to both of our parents.  Words cannot express our gratitude for your awesomeness! Dad often commented that you are gems!  Thank you to Heartland Hospice for supporting dad and our family, and for making his journey peaceful.

To his son, Tom: the role of caregiving landed squarely in your lap for many years. You were the one that Mom and Dad called out for. You were the one that was up numerous times in the middle of the night with them.  You were the one who took them to doctor appointments. You have sacrificed much but you also made it possible for Mom and Dad to be home in their final days.  You granted their wish!

In later years, as a visit was coming to an end, Dad would rarely say goodbye, but rather, "I hate to see you leave!"  And now it is our turn to echo that sentiment, "Dad and Grandpa, we hate to see you leave!"

A funeral service will be held for Kent at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at Swedberg Funeral Home with officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday at the funeral home from 9:30 am until the time of service. Sportsman's casual attire preferred!  Kent was not a suit and tie kind of guy.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in the form desired by friends.

The family requests that guests wear face masks and maintain appropriate distance.  In light of the current pandemic situation, it is understandable if friends and family prefer to express sympathy with a card, phone call, email or in a manner other than physical presence at the service.