Alfred H. Kohlwey

Kohlwey, Alfred H. of Grafton,died peacefully in the secure knowledge of Jesus his Savior on Friday, August 11, 2017 age 98 years. Loving husband of the late June (nee Werking). Beloved father of Pauline “Polly” Morrison, Lois (Rev. Roger) Kobleske, Ken (Carolyn), Robert (Debra), Bill (Sue), and Tim (Mary). Dear brother of Otto Kohlwey Jr. Further survived by 20 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, and other relatives and friends. Proceeded in death by his parents, Otto and Emma Kohlwey and siblings: Ruth Dehmel, Edna Prahl, Sally Kalb, Amy Ungrodt and Reuel Kohlwey. Affectionately known to all as “Al”, he was the middle child of the seven children of Otto and Emma Kohlwey. The family had a dairy farm in Grafton and Al traveled to Lutheran High School from there, taking the electric interurban train into Milwaukee. After graduating, he went to work for Fox’s Dairy in Waukesha, working there in the summers while attending the University of Wisconsin in the winters, acquiring a short course degree in agriculture in 1939. He then went to work for the 5 Corners Creamery in the town of Cedarburg until he entered the U.S. Navy in Sept. 1942, where he served as a ship fitter repairing submarines, and was granted an Honorable Discharge in December, 1945. Al married June on October 13, 1945, while on a two week leave, and they spent 71 happy years together. Al returned to work at 5 Corners Creamery in the town of Cedarburg, which he and his wife eventually purchased in the late 1940’s allowing them to expand their Kohlwey Dairy business with the home delivery of milk, the business was renamed Cedarburg Dairy. By 1964 the company outgrew the dairy at 5 Corners, so Al & June built a new milk bottling plant in Cedarburg. In 1976, the family acquired Oak Brand Ice Cream Co. distribution depot in Milwaukee and started into the ice cream business. They added to that business, purchasing Smith Ice Cream in Oshkosh in 1977 and later, Lake to Lake Dairy in Manitowoc, where the ice cream plant is today. In 1978, they sold Cedarburg Dairy to Roundy’s Corporation, but kept the ice cream business which is today known as Cedar Crest Ice Cream owned and operated by their sons: Ken, Robert, Bill and Tim. Throughout his life, Al has been actively involved in the life of his church and community. He was a life-long member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grafton, where he had served as congregation president, on many church committees and sang in the male choir. Al loved singing, having sung for nearly 85 years in choirs and with Sengerbund, an all-male chorus. He was also an active member of the community, a 65+ year member of the Grafton Lions, also District Governor of 27-A2 from 1975-1976 and President of Wisconsin Lions Foundation from 1994-1995. Al was honored by the Rose Harms Post of American Legion for over 70 years of membership also as Past President. He served twelve years as Supervisor of the Town of Cedarburg, six years as an Ozaukee County Board member, a director of the Grafton State Bank and Grafton Medical Clinic, Past President of the Dairy Council of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Dairy Products Association, Past President of Century Club of Concordia University Mequon, a Member of the Board of Directors for The Providence Place (an independent senior living facility in Grafton), and a member of numerous boards. A special Thank You to the caregivers and staff of Bright Star West Bend for all their compassionate care. Funeral service will be on Friday, August 18, 2017 at 6 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 701 Washington St. Grafton, with Rev. Luke Anderson officiating. Interment at church cemetery. Visitation at the Church on Friday from 3 pm – 5:45 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial would be appreciated to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Concordia University, Living Word Lutheran High School, Milwaukee Lutheran High School or Wisconsin Lions Foundation.