Obit: Mellenthin, Wilbur #2 (1932 - 2012)

Contact: Audrey Roedl
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: Mellenthin, Schroeder, Weis, Thomas, Luepke, Kopp, Connelly

----Source: The Loyal TRG (Loyal, Clark County, WI.) 02 Jan 2013

Mellenthin, Wilbur (31 Mar 1932-20 Dec 2012)

Wilbur L. “Pete” Mellenthin. 80, Spencer, passed away on Thursday morning, Dec. 20, 2012, at Ministry Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield, with his loving family by his side. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 23, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Spencer. Rev. Rebekah Tarras officiated. Burial followed in St. John’s Cemetery in the town of Brighton. Pallbearers were Troy Luepke, Ryan Thomas, Rudy Nieman, Lucas Mellenthin, Brandon Kopp, Aaron Egner, Ryan Griepentrog and Liam Connelly. Honorary pallbearers were his granddaughters.

Pete was born on March 31, 1932, in the town of Unity, to Albert and Elsie (Nee Schroeder) Mellenthin. He attended a country school and graduated from Spencer High School. On June 3, 1952, he married VirJean Weis in the parsonage at Christ the King Catholic Church. Pete and Jean renewed their vows at St. John’s Lutheran Church for their 50th wedding anniversary in 2002. Pete purchased the family homestead and continued his lifelong career as an owner/operator of the dairy farm. While working the family farm he was also a carpenter and built numerous homes in the community. Later he also drove school bus in the area. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Spencer; a member of the NFO and the Local 4-H Club, and a charter member of the FFA. He was a Sunday school teacher for 42 years and also the Sunday school superintendent. Pete and his wife were responsible for raising and caring for 26 foster children. He was an active and dedicated member of the Spencer Volunteer Fire Department for more than 53 years, with 10 years spent operating the Spencer Fire Department Garage Sale which raised funds for the fire department. Pete was a very dedicated man and his family and religion were the very most important part of his life and all of those wonderful memories will be with his family forever.

He is lovingly survived by his wife, VerJean, Spencer; his children, Gwen (Denny) Thomas, Marshfield, Janine (Bruce) Luepke, Spencer, Randy (Melody) Mellenthin, Unity, Janell (Dennis) Kopp, and Geana (Kevin) Connelly, Chicago, Ill.; his grandchildren, Troy (Maria) Luepke, DeAnn (Ryan) Griepentrog, Ryan (Kelly) Thomas, Crystal Schillinger, Dana (Aaron) Egner, Luke (Liz) Mellenthin, Brandon Kopp, Allison Mellenthin, Mikayla Kopp and Liam anf Grace Connelly; 13 great grandchildren; a foster son, Rich (Jenny) Nieman; along with many other relatives and friends.

Pete was preceded in death by his Prents; three brothers; two sisters; a niece, and a grandson, Jacob Kopp.

The family requests that memorials be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Spencer or Misericordia Home; Misericordia Heart of Mercy, Attn: sister Rosemary Connelly, 6300 North Ridge Avenue, Chicago, Il.60660.

A special thank you to the hospitalists, palliative care physicians (especially Dr. Claessen and Dr Okon) and the wonderful nurses with angel wings.

Visit www.lifetributefuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences.

Life Tributes Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Spencer assisted the family.