Obituary for Robert Mehnert
Bob Mehnert, age 93 ½, of West Bend Wisconsin passed away on December 13, 2023. Many will agree that Bob was a man who lived a full life filled with love, laughter, and always putting others needs first. His career and life choices echo his commitment to living those values.
Bob was born in Milwaukee WI on June 13, 1930, to parents Kurt Mehnert and Gladys (Lageman). Bob’s father Kurt immigrated from Saxony Germany as a young child and his mother Gladys was a third generation American whose ancestors immigrated from the same area in Germany. Bob is survived by his younger sister Lois (Mehnert) Bernd, her husband Keith Bernd and their son John.
Bob joined the US Army in 1951 in a time of peace, and served as a private based out of Fort Sheridan, Il until transferring to Germany, where he was stationed until his discharge in 1953.
He met the love of his life, Delores (Buettner) in 1955 when they both sang in the church choir. Bob and Delores had actually met earlier through other family members, as they are fourth cousins once removed. He married Delores on November 17, 1956, celebrating 67 years together just last month.
Bob’s marriage produced four children over a ten-year span – Pam Mehnert, Pat Ladwig, Bob Mehnert, and Dave Mehnert, and his children’s spouses (Lisa, Brian, Dana, and Beth) loved Bob as their own father. Over the 28-years of raising kids, Bob and Delores also fostered around 25 children prior to those children being placed into adoption.
Bob was a proud Grandpa to Meggan Mulkey, Carl and Leticia Daley, Dominique Van Vranken, Samantha Mehnert, Ava and Erica Davey, and Owen Mehnert. He treasured the time he spent with each of his grandchildren and fortunately lived a long life, allowing him the opportunity to be promoted to loving Great Grandpa to Nick, Bryce, Gavin, Lark, and Leni.
Living a life of service Bob started his career at the Falk Corporation of Milwaukee right out of high school and was employed as a customer service supervisor for 46 years. Bob studied architecture at MATC while working at Falk and picked up some part-time work at Marshall Fields during the holidays. After leaving Falk Bob took on jobs with his family to stay active and engaged, working at K&S Tool and Die as a driver, Outpost Natural Foods Co-op as a grocery service clerk.
Bob had a strong faith in God, and served as a Deacon and later as a minister in a local Christian congregation. He believed in service to others as a way of life and trusted in God’s promise of eternal life after death. He loved sharing his faith, cheering up others with a smile or a hug, being the kind of person who you just loved to be around. He prayed for, and now has peace. We will miss his prayers before our family meals together and are thankful for his unconditional love.
Describing what Bob loved to do in his free time is like making an impossibly long list. His greatest love was music, and he took up clarinet in high school and later played in the church orchestra. Bob also directed the church choir and together with Delores, sang for many years with the Ozaukee Chorus. He loved singing, playing, and listening to music and could likely win the final round of Jeopardy, matching music with the composer. Bob was also an avid reader and life-long learner. Later in life he spent time with his walking buddies in West Bend, golfing, foreign and domestic travel, and naturally – spending time with his family and friends.
Bob will always be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and Dad jokes. In fact, he was the master of Dad jokes and told them up through the last days of his life. We all agree we couldn’t have asked for a better spouse, father, grandfather, or uncle and we will miss Bob’s uplifting presence for the remainder of our lives.
Bob was born in Milwaukee WI on June 13, 1930, to parents Kurt Mehnert and Gladys (Lageman). Bob’s father Kurt immigrated from Saxony Germany as a young child and his mother Gladys was a third generation American whose ancestors immigrated from the same area in Germany. Bob is survived by his younger sister Lois (Mehnert) Bernd, her husband Keith Bernd and their son John.
Bob joined the US Army in 1951 in a time of peace, and served as a private based out of Fort Sheridan, Il until transferring to Germany, where he was stationed until his discharge in 1953.
He met the love of his life, Delores (Buettner) in 1955 when they both sang in the church choir. Bob and Delores had actually met earlier through other family members, as they are fourth cousins once removed. He married Delores on November 17, 1956, celebrating 67 years together just last month.
Bob’s marriage produced four children over a ten-year span – Pam Mehnert, Pat Ladwig, Bob Mehnert, and Dave Mehnert, and his children’s spouses (Lisa, Brian, Dana, and Beth) loved Bob as their own father. Over the 28-years of raising kids, Bob and Delores also fostered around 25 children prior to those children being placed into adoption.
Bob was a proud Grandpa to Meggan Mulkey, Carl and Leticia Daley, Dominique Van Vranken, Samantha Mehnert, Ava and Erica Davey, and Owen Mehnert. He treasured the time he spent with each of his grandchildren and fortunately lived a long life, allowing him the opportunity to be promoted to loving Great Grandpa to Nick, Bryce, Gavin, Lark, and Leni.
Living a life of service Bob started his career at the Falk Corporation of Milwaukee right out of high school and was employed as a customer service supervisor for 46 years. Bob studied architecture at MATC while working at Falk and picked up some part-time work at Marshall Fields during the holidays. After leaving Falk Bob took on jobs with his family to stay active and engaged, working at K&S Tool and Die as a driver, Outpost Natural Foods Co-op as a grocery service clerk.
Bob had a strong faith in God, and served as a Deacon and later as a minister in a local Christian congregation. He believed in service to others as a way of life and trusted in God’s promise of eternal life after death. He loved sharing his faith, cheering up others with a smile or a hug, being the kind of person who you just loved to be around. He prayed for, and now has peace. We will miss his prayers before our family meals together and are thankful for his unconditional love.
Describing what Bob loved to do in his free time is like making an impossibly long list. His greatest love was music, and he took up clarinet in high school and later played in the church orchestra. Bob also directed the church choir and together with Delores, sang for many years with the Ozaukee Chorus. He loved singing, playing, and listening to music and could likely win the final round of Jeopardy, matching music with the composer. Bob was also an avid reader and life-long learner. Later in life he spent time with his walking buddies in West Bend, golfing, foreign and domestic travel, and naturally – spending time with his family and friends.
Bob will always be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and Dad jokes. In fact, he was the master of Dad jokes and told them up through the last days of his life. We all agree we couldn’t have asked for a better spouse, father, grandfather, or uncle and we will miss Bob’s uplifting presence for the remainder of our lives.