Kontny-Crabtree honored for community service

Mayor of Peshtigo calls her ‘assistant mayor’

Kathy Kontny-Crabtree, of Peshtigo, has been named the recipient of the 2023 Harold P. Heckendorf Community Service Award presented by NEW Credit Union.

Kontny-Crabtree accepted the award Feb. 28 from NEW Credit Union’s President Lisa Gilligan during the credit union’s 61st annual membership meeting. She received a $250 check, and the charity of her choice, the Peshtigo Fire Department, will also receive a check of $250.

Kontny-Crabtree was born in Milwaukee and attended schools there, including James Madison High School. She and her daughter, Angela, often spent weekends and summer vacation time visiting friends in the Peshtigo area, eventually moving there. She married Jim Kontny, and they had a son, Wyatt. Jim died leaving her a single parent once again.

Today, Kontny-Crabtree has a big presence in Peshtigo, residing with her husband of 22 years, Todd Crabtree. She was a chef for many restaurants over the years and, although retired, is still the main cook at Arbor Village Assisted Living Facility. Kontny-Crabtree currently serves on the Riverside Cemetery Board and the Planning Commission for the City of Peshtigo. She works closely with the Peshtigo Park and Recreation Department helping with many community events. She not only volunteers her time, but she also donates a lot of the supplies and equipment needed for the events.

Kontny-Crabtree created and leads the Volunteer Park and Recreation Decorating Committee to ensure Peshtigo always looks its best. The mayor of Peshtigo, Cathy Malke, refers to her as her “assistant mayor.”

“From the day I met Kathy, her personality and enthusiasm towards making our city look good — not only for our residents, but visitors to the city as well — has been very rewarding,” Malke said. “She takes a great deal of pride in the community she lives in. She is always looking ahead, speaking out loud on how to improve for the next year.”

For the past eight years, Kontny-Crabtree and her family have put a United States flag in front of every home in the city for Independence Day. People go to bed at night and wake to a flag on their front lawn. She also helps organizing a Veterans Memorial weekend in the park and helps with many other events that acknowledge the importance of remembering our veterans.

Kontny-Crabtree partnered with a friend and spearheaded the Grandparents for Action Committee, which raised funds to implement the “Just in Case” door lock-out bar program at the local schools to keep students safe in the event of an active shooter or other violent situation.

Harold P. Heckendorf served as a volunteer on the board of directors of NEW Credit Union for a total of 20 years, serving as chairman much of that time. He was also active in his church and the community of Oconto Falls. To honor Heckendorf, NEW Credit Union instituted a community service award to be presented annually in his name.