Milton “Luke” Mehlberg, age 99, of Caroline passed away peacefully Thursday, January 16, 2020.
Milton George Mehlberg was the eldest of five sons born on March 23, 1920 to Harry and Martha (Dalum) Mehlberg. Luke grew up on a farm in Caroline, graduated from Marion High School in 1939, and continued working on the family farm until he was drafted in 1943. He served in the 369th Army Air Force Squadron in England as a radar mechanic for two years. He had quite a few stories about his time overseas but his biggest was his ride home on the Queen Mary. After returning home he went back to the farm. On December 1, 1951 he married Ramona J. Kissinger and together they raised three children. In 1954 Luke and Harry started Mehlberg’s Maple Syrup. In the 70’s they had a booming business and were one of the largest producers of syrup in the state of Wisconsin. Luke loved working with numbers, he counted everything and was an excellent record keeper. He was a treasurer for church and the Marion Rotary Club. Luke sold insurance for Pella Mutual, was an assessor, and also the clerk for the Town of Grant for years.
Luke loved to stay busy, he cut firewood until he was 95, he always had a vegetable garden, and continued with his maple syrup business. He loved hunting and fishing too; he and Ramona spent a lot of time with friends at their cabin in Nelma, Wisconsin. His favorite pastime was baseball. He pitched for the Caroline Cougars as a young man, and even refereed for a while. He followed the Cubs diligently; they were the first team to broadcast on the radio so he got to listen to them. Luke could watch one game on TV and listen to another on the radio at the same time.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Ramona; two children, Robin (Barb) Mehlberg and Lori (Dave) Egdorf; and a son-in-law, Jeff Blum. There are four grandchildren: Sam (Melissa) Egdorf, Jesse (Ashlee) Blum, Terri (Jake) Graham, and Isaac Mehlberg. There are four great grandchildren: Aubrey Egdorf, Sadie Egdorf, Kaylee Blum, and Henry Graham. He is further survived by two sisters-in-law, Caroldean Mehlberg and Barb Kissinger; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Luke was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son Danny Lee Mehlberg, a daughter Kay Blum, an infant grandson Zachary Blum; and four brothers, Wally (Dode), Clarence, Lester, and Leslie (Mickey) Mehlberg.
Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 21st at 11:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, Caroline. Rev. Craig Nehring will officiate and burial will be at a later date in the parish cemetery. Military Honors will be provided at the church by members of the American Legion Post 456 of Caroline. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 9:00 AM until time of service at the church. Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Marion, is assisting the family.
