John C. Muehlenkamp

John Carl Muehlenkamp, age 75, of Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, passed away October 4, 2022, at the Mayo Hospital in Rochester, MN. He was born August 28, 1947, to Carl and Genevieve (Berendes) Muehlenkamp in Mauston, Wisconsin. He grew up on the family farm in the Town of Oakdale the 8th of 9 children. He attended country schools in Diamond Valley before attending Oakdale Elementary where he made many lifelong friends. John was a 1965 graduate of Tomah High School. He proudly served in the United States National Guard from 1966-1972 where he completed basic combat training at Ft. Gordon in Georgia.
John learned the meaning of hard work at a young age and formed a strong work ethic. After graduating from high school, he stayed on the farm for a year and also worked a few short-term jobs before starting with Chrysler in Belvidere, IL where he stayed for 7 years.
In 1969, he met the love of his life and life-time soulmate, Jean Westpfahl. They were united in marriage in May of 1970 and celebrated their 52nd Anniversary on May 2, 2022. Together, John and Jean proudly raised their four children while exemplifying what it was to show unconditional love and unending support to each other and their family.
In 1974, he moved with his family back to Wisconsin where he began a job learning the carpentry trade. John worked as a carpenter until 1980 when he began his career with the Tomah School District, retiring in September of 2012 after 32 years. During this time, he built their forever home which they dearly loved.
John's love of nature and the outdoors was never ending. He loved to take walks, ride his four-wheeler, take pictures of wildlife, feed the birds and teach his children and grandchildren a love for nature and the outdoors. He enjoyed bow and rifle hunting, playing cards – especially Euchre, watching sports and taking family vacations. At age 30, John joined the over 30 softball league where he played shortstop and earned the nickname "Gunnar". He loved watching his grandchildren play sports. Autumn was his favorite time of the year, John and Jean enjoyed taking road trips to see the fall colors.
More than anything, John loved his family and cherished every moment spent with them. His strong Catholic Faith, sense of humor and loving ways made him the special person he was. John had a gift of making everyone around him feel special. He will be truly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jean, 4 children, Dawn Muehlenkamp, Rebecca (Dan) Lueck, Jon (Ashley) Muehlenkamp and Sara Muehlenkamp, 10 grandchildren, Kristin, Karli, Brooke, Brielle, Brandon, Drew, John, Austin, Tucker and Natalie, 4 great-grandchildren, Rylee, Nova, Kynlee and Layla, sisters, Charlotte Muha and Eunice Daily, a brother, Charles (Sue) Muehlenkamp, sisters-in-law, Yvette Muehlenkamp, Betty Muehlenkamp and Pat Scheckel, brother-in-law, Ron Schultz, an aunt, Alice Schmitz, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, brothers, Paul, Bill and David Muehlenkamp, sisters and brother-in-law, Linda Schultz and Darlene (Korwin) Quist, sister-in-law, Bernice Zellmer as well as many aunts and uncles.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, October 11, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church at Indian Creek, Oakdale Township, Wisconsin. Family and friends are invited for visitation Monday, October 10, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a rosary to begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."