Wilfred Kuehn

Wilfred “Willie” Kuehn was born June 3, 1938 in the Town of Hamburg to the late Norman and Rose (Kottke) Kuehn. During his teenage years, he worked for Fromm’s Brothers. Willie graduated from Merrill High School and was drafted into the US Army, serving in Germany and achieving the rank of SP4. While in the service, Willie married the love of his life, Barbara Graf, on June 3, 1967 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. They were an active couple bowling,playing dartball and family camping trips together for many years. Willie was a firm but fair father to his five children, instilling a strong sense of family in them by being an example who was close to his siblings throughout his life. He worked for Murray Machinery for over 20 years until the plant finally closed leading him to work for Bletsoe’s Cheese Inc. during the week and Schmidt’s Ballroom on the weekend because of his sociable nature. Willie was also very active at St. John’s Lutheran Church throughout his life, serving as an elder and always willing to assist with church activities. Willie’s outgoing nature served him well, it was rare that he could go anywhere without running in to someone he did not know. He had a great love of the outdoors and would find any reason he could to spend time outside taking care of his lawn, puttering away in his garage, or watching the birds that would visit his bird feeders. Throughout his life, Willie had a great love of fast pitch softball, first as a player then coaching and in his later years as an avid fan. His greatest love was reserved for spending time with his nine grandchildren, even teaching them the finer points of coloring. Willie and Barbara celebrated 30 wonderful years together prior to her death September 18, 1997. Willie died Monday, December 14, 2009, at the age of 71, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.


Family and friends will miss Willie’s wonderful sense of humor and his love of teasing and wisecracks, which were always his way of letting those around him, know that they were loved.


Willie is survived by his children, Neil Kuehn, Brian (Brenda Volm) Kuehn, Craig (Julie) Kuehn, Steve Kuehn, and Kelly Kuehn; grandchildren, Chris, Britt, Nick, Haley, Kiley, Erica, Collin, Ethan and Kamea; great-granddaughter, Kenzie; brother, Melvin Kuehn; sisters, Sandra Radunz and Irene (Bob) Ninnemann; mother-in-law, Lorraine Graf; and many more extended family and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his brother-in-laws, Ricky Graf and Robert Radunz and father-in-law, Martin Graf.


Funeral services will be 12:00 PM Saturday, December 19, 2009 at Saint John’s Lutheran Church, Town of Hamburg. Reverend James Klug will be officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM and last until the time of services at the church. Burial will follow the funeral service at Saint John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Town of Hamburg. VFW Mar-Lin Post #10203 will be performing military rites. You may sign our family guestbook at www.helke.com.