Kylene McVicar Anttila

Our beloved Kylene McVicar Anttila, 38, of Middleton Wisconsin, slipped away peacefully with her family at her side after a 15 ½ month battle with glioblastoma on September 25, 2016. She was born September 19, 1978 to Debi and Butch Anttila. Kylene graduated from Mesabi East High School, class of 1997. Her life’s passion was to work with kids. She became a child life specialist after graduating from UMD in 2000 with bachelors degrees in psychology and early childhood development. In 2008, she received her Master’s Degree in Human Ecology from UW Madison. Kylene worked at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and most recently at UW Madison Children’s Hospital. At both institutions she gave comfort to sick children, support to parents and families, and was a tireless advocate for children’s safety and health care. In 2005, Kylene met Stuart McVicar, and the two were married August 1, 2009. They spent their time together traveling to their favorite places such as Moab, Scotland, Colorado, Cape Cod, Lambeau Field and Palo. Kylene enjoyed reading to Butchie, karaoke, rowing, downhill skiing, mountain biking and falling, painting, designing and relaxing on the porch with friends, family and her favorite drink, G&T. Kylene is remembered for her beautiful smile, sense of humor, infectious laughter and kind heart. The Finnish word SISU means courage and determination in the face of adversity. It describes Kylene’s grace with which she approached life, the courage she maintained when facing a terminal illness, and the dignity that was always hers. She was a proud and devoted mother to her five-year-old son, Butch. Kylene’s hopes, dreams and SISU live on in him. In addition to her parents, Kylene is survived by her husband Stuart McVicar, son Butch McVicar, sisters Krissy (Chad) Coudron and Kelly (Marty) Momsen, sister-in-law Anne (George) Acker, brother-in-law Richard (Laurel) McVicar, mother-in law Helen McVicar, nephews Tony, Brayden and Kyle Coudron and Finn Momsen, nieces Amanda and Danielle Acker, aunties and uncles Anna (Larry) Meehan, Becky (Roger) Byzewski, Brenda (Jim) Mingo, Linda (Mitz) Delcaro, Danny (Shelley) Anttila, Lollie (Larry) Randen, cousins, Snoopy and Woodstock, and cancer warriors everywhere. She was preceded in death by grandparents, Maxine and Earl Belford and Anton and Ilona Anttila and Elsie Anttila. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, October 8th at 10 am at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Aurora with Fr. Peter Lambert as celebrant. Friends may gather one hour prior to the mass at church. Inurnment will be in the Rauha Cemetery in Palo. Kylene will be greatly missed by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Kylene Anttila scholarship fund at Camp Eshquagama, 4913 Pine Lane, Gilbert, MN 55741, where she was a devoted camp counselor and program director. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora.