Draped in a prayer blanket and to the sound of a prayer, Howard Lee Wohlgemuth, 97, of Kenosha passed away on Wednesday, December 12, 2018, at the Froedtert South-St. Catherine’s Medical Center from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.  He was surrounded at the time by members of his family and many of his loving caregivers.

Born in Kenosha on May 25, 1921, “Howie” was the son of the late Gottfried “Fred” and Alvina (Ritschke) Wohlgemuth.  Howie was also known as “Wolfpaw” as a youngster and “Wogie” in the Navy.

Howie proudly served his country in the United States Navy during WWII and was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1865.  He supported the troops by working on engines and other pieces of military equipment while stationed at U.S. Naval Airstation Trinidad BWI.  Fluent in German, Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2^nd Class Howard Wohlgemuth also provided valuable interpreting services while serving.

On November 16, 1946, Howie was united in marriage to Doris Marie Hengst from Racine. They were blessed with two children, Jeffrey Lee and Linda Marie, and 72 years of marriage.

Following WWII, Howie served Kenosha County as a Deputy Sheriff, retiring in 1977.  In addition to his work as a Deputy, he also worked at Tyson Sporting Goods and Hillside Hardware where he became known as “the Lawn Mower Man,” providing lawn mower repair services to many satisfied customers.

Howie was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, as well as a dear brother, uncle, Godfather and friend.  When not at work, he enjoyed spending time with his son, Jeff, flying radio-controlled model airplanes and, later, flying in real airplanes, including Jeff and Carolyn’s Boeing Stearman biplane.  Howie also enjoyed golfing and bowling with friends, just “putzing around” in his basement or shed, or saving a can of Bell telephone paint “because I might need it someday.”  He could often be found in the evening monitoring the progress of a campfire that had been carefully constructed as only Howie could.  He also took pride in his role as the “Bartley House handyman,” assisting Bart with little projects that needed the attention that only a perfectionist could provide. As a man of few words, he could often be found at the Bartley House at his wife’s side next to a video machine, enjoying a beer, Dewar’s or one of Missy’s special ice cream cones, or engaging Bart in German banter.

Howie is survived by his wife, Doris; son, Jeffrey (Carolyn) Wohlgemuth living in Minden, Nevada; daughter, Linda Wohlgemuth; grandchildren Ashley Alfredson and Jason Hall; great-granddaughter Devin Hall; brother, Allen Wohlgemuth living in Lavonia, Michigan; sister, Joyce Brookhouse; and Godson, Steven Leiting.

In addition to his parents, Howie was preceded in death by a brother, Gilbert Wohlgemuth, and two sisters, Betty Brazier and Aletta Pearson.  Howie’s great-granddog, Howard Timothy, passed away the previous day and was there to greet Howie upon his arrival in Heaven.

The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to Pastor Brian Henry of First Christian Church and all of the physicians, nursing staff members, and other care givers who took care of Howie and supported his family during his long earthly journey, including:  Drs. Sarah Alderman, Phillip Chung, Kevin Fullin, Mario Garretto, Catherine Gursky, Al Habel, Peter Mariani, Raaid Museitif, Rosanna Ranieri, and Gary Zaid; nurse practitioner Dani Kozak; and all of his nursing, respiratory, and therapy “angels” who cared for him in “Howie’s Room.”  To Mary Louise, Kristen, Kirsten, Julie, Stacy, Brianna, Liz, Emily, Jackie, Deb, and Kathy J.:  thank you for your extra special smiles that touched Howie’s heart and brought smiles to his face.  To Christine, Kirsten, and Stacy:  thank you for smiling with Howie as he enjoyed pudding, pumpkin pie and whipped cream one more time.  To Barb W., Claudia, Kathy M., and Dani:  Thank you for holding Howie’s hand, offering your expertise, and advocating for him in his moment of need.  To Tyler and Tony:  Thank you for pushing Howie and remaining ever-encouraging. And to Jaymie, Dave, Andria, Justin, Mary Louise, Monte, Terri, Erin, Brian, Nick, Barb R. and Deb:  thank you for your never-ending support and love in addition to all of the other things that you do every day.  To all of you who offered your love, kindness, and support:  it will never be forgotten.

Service Info

Monday, December 17, 2018, a celebration service honoring Howard’s life at 6:00 p.m. at the Piasecki Althaus Fuenral Home, 3720 39th Avenue, Kenosha, WI. Howard’s family will hold a private burial service at a later time.