A Birthday Remembered…A Friend Never Forgotten….

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12-22-2023: Photo taken six months after Keith Kutska was released on parole

Keith had shared his excitement about flying to Arizona to see his friend, Jeff. It would be his first time ever in an airplane. But what we didn’t know was that it would also be his last.

Today, March 9, 2026, marks Keith’s seventy-fifth birthday. But he is not with us to celebrate. Keith was taken from this earth much too soon and quite unexpectedly. He had arrived safely in Arizona and was picked up by Jeff. They were in Jeff’s car when Keith suddenly suffered a medical emergency. Jeff acted quickly and Keith was taken to the hospital post-haste. But a week later, he was gone.

The following obituary was posted by Legacy on March 3rd, 2026:

Keith Matthew Kutska 

“No, his mind is not for rent To any god or government”

Keith Matthew Kutska, 74, passed away on February 24, 2026, while traveling in Arizona. He was born in Green Bay, WI on March 9, 1951, to the late Norman and Nathalie (Judkins) Kutska. He graduated from East High School. Keith loved spending time with his family and friends, especially ‘tipping back a few’ with them. He enjoyed fishing, music, grilling out, exploring history, and his family would definitely consider him an amateur astronomist.

Keith is survived by his his wife, Ardie; son, Clayton (Brenda) Kutska; grandchildren, Kelsey Kutska, Katie (Nate) Krupp, and Mathew Kutska; great grandchild, Elijah Krupp; siblings, Doug Kutska, Brad Kutska, Paul Kutska, Lori (David) Noren, Tracey Bartell, and Cheryl Wall (Kutska) and many nieces and nephews. He is further survived by his step mother, Jean Kutska and sister-in-law, Lori (Roger) Balweirczak.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Mark Kutska and Chris Kutska; father and mother-in-law, Frank and Elaine Balweirczak; nephew, Jed Balweirczak; and good friends, Larry and Pete.

Special thank you to Jeff “Julio” for being there for the family and a great friend to Keith along with Randy “Wimpy”, and Bob.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Ramble On

2-21-2015: First prison visit with Keith Kutska at Jackson Correctional in WI

   

7/2015: Evidentiary hearing in Green Bay

My first communication with Keith was in 2010. His many letters to me were kind, considerate, and respectful. My husband, Mike, and I had visited him twice during his incarceration. We had observed him in the Brown County Courtroom during the (unsuccessful) evidentiary hearing on his behalf in 2015. Even though the courts failed to recognize his innocence, Keith’s character never wavered. His optimism that he would eventually be released had never diminished. After he was released from prison, we planned visits. He and I collaborated on various book events. In fact, Keith participated in the book launch of my third edition in MN. He attended a benefit for Innocence, also in MN and accompanied me for a class visit at the University of Wisconsin in Green Bay. Keith often shared afterwards that he had felt the love and appreciation from those who attended these events.

7-21-2025: MN Book Launch

9-24-2025: MN Benefit for Innocence Joan, Keith, and Exec. Dir. of GN-IP, Sara Jones   

9-24-2025: MN Benefit for Innocence Keith with WI exonerees David and Bobby Bintz

2-29-2024: Nolan Bennett’s class at UWGB

The opening words for the following event will be those of Keith’s; words that will be especially meaningful during this difficult time. I will do my absolute best to recite them with the integrity and justice they deserve.

Keith had become a trusted friend to many over the years. Those who met him appreciated his kind disposition, his thoughtfulness, his humor and assertive nature, and even his unapologetic and outspoken opinions of our criminal justice system.

Keith enjoyed the past two-and-a-half years of freedom to the fullest. He celebrated the best that life had to offer. Today, we, the living, celebrate the birthday of a dear friend who will never be forgotten…

My Grown Up Christmas Wish…

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    Never a Christmas morn,

    Never the old year ends,

    But someone thinks of someone,

    Old days, old times, old friends

                          (Author unknown)

Each holiday season, I proudly display this framed piece which was completed in 2000. The saying has always been one of my holiday favorites and represents much of what Christmas means to me.

During my forever ago crafting days, I utilized my creativity to include it in what became my first and only originally designed cross-stich project. It was an especially proud moment for me to have achieved this end result.

Now…whenever I experience the typical holiday anxiety, stress, or even sadness—as most of us do especially during this time of year—I find comfort and a sense of ease simply by studying the images and silently reciting those words.

As a way to express my appreciation to the families and friends of six innocent Wisconsin men, the men themselves; Michael Piaskowski, Reynold Moore, Michael Hirn, Dale Basten and Michael Johnson, and to all of you for your continued interest, amazing feedback, and unwavering support of my ongoing advocacy, I offer this special something from my grown up Christmas list; a genuine wish that these same images and words will provide whatever is necessary to fuel your inner peace and sanity, now and throughout the New Year.

Happy Holidays to all of you!

Joan and Mike Treppa

A Meaningful and Long Overdue Exchange…

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I spotted him standing in line a few yards from where I sat. “Now’s your chance,” I thought to myself. Mimicking those same thoughts were ones spoken aloud by my husband, Mike. “You better go now or you’ll lose your chance to talk to him,” he urged. That was all the motivation I needed.

I stood next to him and blurted out, “Howdy!”

He turned. I smiled.

He then greeted me with similar enthusiasm and a smile that warmed my heart.

I showed him my name tag, compliments of the Great North Innocence Project (GN-IP). This evening was their annual gala which had finally brought the two of us together.

“Does this name look familiar?” I inquired. He responded with a curious “No.” It was not too surprising, given that what I was about to share with him happened ten years ago in 2015. This exchange we were now sharing was long overdue.

I explained how I had recently come across correspondence he and I had while he was still incarcerated. “I was sifting through names of all the people who’ve reached out to me over the years through my website, A Matter of Facts, and I came across your name,” I explained.

Recollection was still absent from his face.

I continued. “I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw your name, especially after hearing about you in the news following your exoneration. And then…I freaked and wondered if I had bothered to respond back to you. So…I went digging through my emails and sure enough, I found the correspondence between us. I have to be honest. Back then I received a lot of messages from people looking for help and sadly, I was overwhelmed. As much as I tried, I could not respond to everyone. Your message was so kind and respectful so it was a huge relief to know that I hadn’t ignored you.”

Marvin Haynes* stood there reconciling the details of this long lost connection. “I do remember writing to you!” Familiarity flooded his memory. “Can you send those emails to me? I’d like to see them,” he said.

“Yes, of course,” I reassured him.

“Please, I’d like you to meet some of my friends and family. They’re just over there at that nearby table.” I said. “Plus I have something I’d like to give to you.”

“Sure,” said Marvin. I introduced my husband, Mike, my sister, Clare, a friend, Mark Charron, and finally, Keith Kutska, all of whom were delighted to meet my new friend.

I then pulled my last copy of Reclaiming Lives out of the cloth bag that was hanging on the backrest of a nearby chair. Marvin glanced at it. “You wrote this? I want to write my own book, too,” he said excitedly. “Well, maybe I can help you with that, give you a few pointers,” I offered. That would be great!” Marvin’s excitement grew. I explained that my contact information was inside the book and we agreed that we’d be in touch.

I asked Marvin if he’d pose with me for a photo. He agreed and Mike took the first picture. “Oh, I should be holding your book up for the next one,” Marvin declared.

An entire month passed before I finally got around to gathering the contents of those emails onto a word document which I sent to Marvin in a private message. I reiterated who I was and included the photo Mike had taken of us (with him holding my book) at the Benefit.

To my surprise, almost immediately, Marvin tagged me in the following post on social media:

*Marvin’s story.

Donate to Marvin’s GOFUNDME Campaign

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