John "Jack" Ehlenbach

John "Jack" H. Ehlenbach, 69, of Green Bay and formerly of Whitefish Bay, passed away Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Bellin Memorial Hospital, Green Bay. The son of Delmar and Shirley (Kitzrow) Ehlenbach was born on October 12, 1954, in Milwaukee.
Jack grew up in Whitefish Bay and graduated from Whitefish Bay High School. Following high school, he attended the University Wisconsin – Stevens Point, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Water Science. During breaks from college, he worked as a Wine Steward at the fine dining restaurant at the Pfister Hotel, The English Room, where he developed his love for cooking and wine pairings. After college he bought a home in Milwaukee and was a Water Chemist for 17 years for the city of Milwaukee.
Together with his former wife, Roxanne Knudson, the couple had a daughter, Sarah, whom he absolutely loved and adored. Jack moved to Virginia in 2014 to be near Sarah's family, and then to Green Bay in 2019 to be with them again. Later in life, he cherished the time he was able to spend with his 4 grandchildren. His favorite things were to cook with them, go apple and cherry picking, put together puzzles, draw pictures and mazes for them, and tell them exciting stories of his life.
Jack's adventurous spirit brought him on long distance bicycle excursions all around the world. His favorite trips were Los Angeles to Las Vegas via Death Valley and Whitefish Bay to Yellowstone National Park with close friends from high school. He also biked all around Alaska, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. He loved travelling and always went off the beaten path to meet the locals and see how they lived. Jack enjoyed good conversation and getting to know people. He would talk with everyone he crossed paths with. On one of his favorite trips, he explored Jamaica with his good friend Roger Palmer and learned to play dominos from the locals. He loved golfing, especially with his Water Plant coworkers in the City Golf League. Cribbage, dominos, Sheepshead, and reading Michener novels were a few of his favorite activities when he couldn't be on his bicycle. He always dreamed of writing his own novel one day.
Survivors include his daughter and her family: Sarah (Bob) Zemple and their children, Bobby, Heidi, twins Brent and Chad, all of Hobart; his twin brother, Richard (Dorothy) Ehlenbach, Massachusetts; sister-in-law, Laurie Sheldon, California; nephews, John Richard "Jack" Ehlenbach, and Trevor Ehlenbach; and aunt, Nancy (Ehlenbach) Singer, Franklin.
In addition to his parents, Delmar and Shirley, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jeffrey Ehlenbach.
A Celebration of Jack's life will be held at a later time this summer/fall in Whitefish Bay.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.marnochafuneralhome.com or on the Marnocha Funeral Home Facebook page.