Born: July 17, 1927
Died: October 24, 2012
Services: A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 11 a.m. St. Mary Catholic Church in Mayville with the Rev. Fr. Tom Biersack presiding.
Visitation: A visitation will take place on Saturday, November 3 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the church.
Melvin Alex Kahlhamer, 85, of Mayville, passed into eternity, Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at the Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac.
A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 11 a.m. St. Mary Catholic Church in Mayville with the Rev. Fr. Tom Biersack presiding. A visitation will take place on Saturday, November 3 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the church. Military rites will be provided by the Mayville American Legion Post #69.
He was born on July 17, 1927, in Lastrup, Minnesota, the first child to Albrecht and Rose (Moser) Kahlhamer and was raised in the Kekoskee/Mayville area after his parents moved to Wisconsin in 1937. He graduated from Mayville High School in 1945 then served in the US Navy during WWII from 1945 to 1948; as a Boiler Technician Petty Officer Third Class after completing Navy Engineering School.
He married his sweetheart, Jeanette M. (Schabel) Kahlhamer on October 2, 1948 at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Leroy, WI. In 1952, Melvin built their home in Mayville where they eventually would raise 10 children.
Melvin began Kahlhamer Improvements construction company and built many homes around the Mayville area and commercial buildings throughout Wisconsin. He helped many young people develop valuable life skills over the years spending 14 years as a 4-H leader and employing many youth as Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper carriers for 15 years. When interest rates hit double digits, Melvin left construction and began a nearly 20 year career at Metalcraft of Mayville. He often mentioned how he enjoyed the people he worked with.
In addition to teaching his kids how to hunt, fish, do construction and be entrepreneurs, Melvin enjoyed gardening and cooking. He was also dedicated to serving as a lifetime member in the Mayville American Legion Post 69, served twice as Post Commander and earned 4th degree in the Knights of Columbus.
Melvin is survived by his wife Jeanette, his 10 children, 33 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren. His children are Alan (Louise) Kahlhamer of Fond du Lac; Diane (Roger) Schultz of Paris, TN; Mark (Jackie) Kahlhamer of Mayville; Bruce Kahlhamer of Ogden, Utah; Susan (Larry) Retzlaff of Mayville; John (Karla) Kahlhamer of Fond du Lac; Gary (Susana) Kahlhamer of Horicon; Jerome Kahlhamer of Mayville; Daniel (Karen) Kahlhamer of Mauston; and Christine (Tim) Frahm of Neenah. He is further survived by his brother Cleo Kahlhamer of Mayville; and sisters Ursula (Leo) Wirtz of Waukesha; Doreen (Harold) Dorst of Menomonee Falls; and Irene (Floyd) Andrews, Tucson, AZ.
He was preceded in death by his parents Albrecht and Rose (Moser) Kahlhamer, his sisters Geraldine (Herman) Moldenhauer and Eileen Kahlhamer, and a brother Joseph Kahlhamer.
The family wants to express their deepest appreciation to the staffs at Agnesian Hospice Care and Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac for the great service and compassionate care. He was able to spend his last days among family and friends.
Location: Koepsell Funeral Home, Mayville (Map)
Church: St. Mary’s Catholic Church (Map)
