Milton "Uncle Miltie" Wetenkamp

Milton J. Wetenkamp, age 89, a resident of the "thriving metropolis" of Newtonburg, Wisconsin, passed away Thursday evening, December 1, 2022 at Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by family.

Milton was born on October 12, 1933 at home, in the township of Manitowoc Rapids, son of the late Harry & Ida (Mailand) Wetenkamp.  Miltonattended various schools throughout the area and graduated from the "school of hard knocks".  In 1956, Milton was drafted into the U.S. Army with service in Germany, where he also completed his GED.  According to Milton, after completion of his service in Germany, he was succeeded by the one and only "Elvis Presley".

Milton wed Elaine Holschbach on October 24, 1959 at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Manitowoc.  Milton began his working career as a delivery helper at the age of 14, for his Uncle Herb, at Wetenkamp Transfer, delivering food items to local grocery stores.  His trucking career continued with Burt Johnson Trucking, WR Clusen Milk Transfer, Badger Northland, Kingsbury Beer, Spector, Wisconsin Feeder Pig Marketing Coop, Milt Wetenkamp Trucking, RL Krause, Warehouse Terminal, and then Wetenkamp Transport.  During the course of his driving career, he drove ~3 million miles in 42 of the 48 continental US states and five Canadian provinces.

Milton's hobbies evolved from what others may think was more work, but he enjoyed meeting people and telling stories.  In his younger days, he was president of the River Road Rockets 4-H club, drummer in the Jolly Farm Hands Polka Band, member of the St Joseph School Board and Manitowoc County Expo Board. He also conducted local auctions along with the small animal sales at Manitowoc County Fair and was a familiar voice at various local tractor and truck pulls.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Elaine.  Six children, JoDel (Scott) Kohlmeier, Richard (Lisa) Wetenkamp, Dennis (Brenda Dehne) Wetenkamp, Daryl (Kristen Shoop) Wetenkamp, Russell (Amy) Wetenkamp, Judeen/Molly (Tim) Schad.  Nine grandchildren, Shawn (Erika) Kohlmeier, Jeremy (Jena) Kohlmeier, Eric (Jennifer) Wetenkamp, Vanessa Wetenkamp, Landon Wetenkamp, Riley Wetenkamp, Reese Wetenkamp, Jenson Wetenkamp, step-granddaughter Jennifer Schad.  Ten great-grandchildren, Kenzey and Callen Kohlmeier, Vincent, Liberty, Presley and Granger Wetenkamp, Willow Mulhaney, Lillian, Sabrina and Lawson Schad.  Special cousins, Lucy (Jim) DeWein, Tom (Carol) Wetenkamp, Judy Wetenkamp.  Surviving in-laws Ethel Meyer, Fritz (Ruth) Holschbach, Clarann Wagner.  Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive.  Milton was preceded in death by his parents, sisters-in-law & brothers-in-law Lucille (Thomas) Walsh, Harold (Grace) Holschbach, John (Rosemary) Holschbach, Earl (Theresa Waack) Holschbach, Victor Meyer, Orville (Shirley) Holschbach, Leroy Wagner, Jerry Holschbach.  Special cousins, Albert Wetenkamp and Edward Wetenkamp

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 8100 Brunner Road, Manitowoc.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated by Rev. Dave Beaudry. A visitation for relatives and friends will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church on Friday, December 9, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.  A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. led by Fr. Dave Beaudry.  The visitation will continue at the church on Saturday morning, December 10, 2022 from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m.  Burial will follow at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #731.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11 ^th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangement