Milton Mehlberg

Milton “Luke” Mehlberg, 99, of Caroline, passed away peacefully Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020.

Milton George Mehlberg was the eldest of five sons. He was born 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 Dec. 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 1970s, 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 recordkeeper. He was a treasurer for church and the Marion Rotary Club. Luke sold insurance for Pella Mutual, was an assessor and was 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 he 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. 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 was held Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Caroline. The Rev. Craig Nehring officiated, and burial will be at a later date in the parish cemetery. Military honors were provided at the church by members of the American Legion Post 456 of Caroline. Visitation was Tuesday from 9 a.m. until time of service at the church.

Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Marion, is assisting the family.