Glenn Edward Bultman

Glenn E. Bultman 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep in Milwaukee on January 4, 2026. Glenn will be deeply missed by the love of his life and wife of 59 ½ years, Kathleen K. (Ketelsen) Bultman; daughter and son-in-law Elizabeth (Beth) and Scott Sailor; son and daughter-in-law Robert (Rob) and Jennifer Bultman; grandsons Spencer (Mary Jane) and Mitchell (Giana) Bultman; granddaughters Renee and Rachel Sailor; and great-grandchildren Aubrey Maurer and Henry Bultman. He is further survived by his many brothers, sisters, in-laws, by his 75 nieces and nephews, by his colleagues, and by those he considered family and friends.

Glenn was born on December 11, 1940, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the late Francis and Ethel Bultman (nee Harkins). He graduated from Messmer High School and attended Marquette University. His studies were interrupted one class short of his degree when he dropped a German language class and was drafted into the Army in 1966 as a “private E-nothing.” He served from 1966 until he was honorably discharged in 1969, having obtained the rank of First Lieutenant (1LT). During this time, he married Kathy and became a father to Beth and Rob. It was a busy three years.

After his discharge, Glenn moved back to Milwaukee and returned to Marquette University to finish that German course, graduating with a BA in Economics in 1969. He then attended Marquette Law School, graduating with a JD in 1974. However, as Glenn was fond of saying, his career was not the law—it was politics.

Glenn was elected as a Wisconsin State Representative for District 13 (1970-1972). After finishing law school, Glenn was elected and served as Wisconsin Senate Chief Clerk (1975-1976). In 1977, Glenn began a 36-year career with Milwaukee County, first as Chief of Staff and Director of County Board Service. He later served as Senior Research Analyst for the County Board, focusing on the areas of economic development, land use, and public infrastructure and transportation. While working behind the scenes rather than as a public-facing politician, Glenn greatly influenced many significant projects that helped shape Milwaukee County.

Glenn was most proud of his work leading to the completion of the Lake Parkway connecting I-794 to Layton Avenue, which resulted in immediate benefits for the Bayview community. He also played a major role in the development of the Milwaukee County Grounds into a modern hub of healthcare, technology, and nature preservation. He was involved in the sale and leasing of land to create the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center, the development of the Technology Innovation Center, the Research Park, and the Innovation Campus. He was also instrumental in the preservation of the Eschweiler buildings and the remaining 100+ acres of open space, including the Monarch Trail and Sanctuary Woods.

Glenn also played key roles in the redevelopment of the Park East Corridor following the demolition of the Park East Freeway. He was involved in affordable and senior housing projects supporting seniors and individuals with disabilities, screened and recommended awards for community block grant requests, and was a vital contributor to the Long-Range Lakefront Planning Committee. Glenn created at least 6 of Milwaukee County’s redistricting plans, all without the aid of computers—a feat reflected in the countless legal pads, backs of envelopes, and napkins filled with numbers, voting wards, population figures, and notes that only he could decipher. He also took great pride in serving as a mentor to many younger County Board staffers, helping them to further advance into leadership roles.

Glenn retired from Milwaukee County in 2012. He and Kathy then moved to Oregon, Wisconsin, to be closer to Beth’s family, where he enjoyed watching his granddaughters grow over the next 13 years. During retirement, Glenn and Kathy traveled the globe, enjoying cruises and vacations to Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, and everywhere in between. Glenn would go anywhere that had a sale! When his health began to decline due to Alzheimer’s and dementia, Glenn and Kathy moved back to Milwaukee to St. Camillus Independent Living in February 2025.

Glenn was especially proud of his large family and would often introduce himself as “one of 19 brothers and sisters.” Growing up on Palmer Street in Milwaukee, Glenn was the fourth oldest of the 19 Bultman siblings and he shared life-long bonds with his siblings. He was a beloved brother to Paul (Barbara) Bultman, Bruce (Pat) Bultman, Lois Brown, Elaine Nissen, Barbara (Darrell) Kreft, Neal (Kathy) Bultman, Roger (Kenia) Bultman, Carol (Tom) Tumneff, Ralph (Mary Kay) Bultman, Diane (Bob) Beck, Debbie (Paul) Swenarski, Allen (Janet) Bultman, Gerry (Mary) Bultman, John (Linda) Bultman, Joyce Bultman, Linda (Neil Schmidt) Wendt, Brian (Anne) Bultman, and Janet (Randy) Venne.

Glenn was also very close to Kathy’s large family and will be deeply missed by in-laws David (Judi) Ketelsen, Sandra (Craig) Hansen, Ronald (Molly) Ketelsen, Linda (John) Mizlo, Cheryl (Rick) Greve, Mary (Rick) Smith, and Nancy (Jim) Hunt. In addition to his parents, Glenn was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Nicole Ann Sailor; his parents-in-law, Alfred and Grace Ketelsen; brothers Paul and Bruce Bultman; sisters Elaine Nissen and Diane Beck; brothers-in-law Jimmy Ketelsen, Darrell Kreft, and Tom Tumneff; and sisters-in-law Barbara, Patricia, and Kathy Bultman.

Glenn never met a stranger who didn't soon learn about his family, his military service, or his work in politics. He certainly liked to talk! He cared deeply about those in need and was always willing to offer a helping hand, asking for nothing in return. He believed that how we see the world—and how we choose to help those within it—is the true measure of a life well-lived. To him, kindness was an action, not just a sentiment. His legacy is written in the hearts of those he helped and the lives he touched.

Services: Visitation and a memorial service to celebrate Glenn’s life will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Milwaukee County Zoofari Center (9715 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226). The family will greet relatives and friends from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., with the memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m. Private family entombment will occur at a later date at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SWVMC) in Union Grove, WI.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in support of Alzheimer’s Research can be made by check to the Medical College of Wisconsin or online by selecting “Yes, this is an honor or memorial gift” and entering “In Memory of Glenn Bultman.”