Elmer J. Kulhanek, 90, Denmark, passed away at his home on Monday morning,
April 23, 2012 after a brief battle with lung cancer. He was born in Oconto
Falls on September 6, 1921, son of the late James and Ida (Radue) Kulhanek.
Elmer married Clara Dahlke at Christ Lutheran Church, Fontenoy, on June 7,
1941. For most of his life, Elmer owned and operated the Kulhanek Dairy Farm
in Henrysville. He also drove various trucks including a milk-can truck and
dump truck. Following retirement, they moved to Denmark. Clara passed away
September 27, 1987.
He married Esther Polasik on May 9, 1990 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church,
Pine Grove. They lived in Bellevue until after she passed away on June 20,
2010. He then returned to Denmark.
Elmer was a member of Emanuel Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Henrysville. He
greatly enjoyed travelling, playing cards, going to casinos, helping on the
family farm; going camping with his motor home, and spending time with
family.
Surviving are three children Ruth (Leonard) Bertrand, Kewaunee; Merle (Pat)
Kulhanek, Henrysville; and Cindy (Don "Butch") Shimon, Denmark; nine
grandchildren: Jim (Mary), Jerry (Terri), Mike (Tina), Mark (special friend
Kathy Pinkert), and Gary (Kim) Bertrand; Kathy (Joe) Guns; Jesse, Mandy
(special friend Tim Doell), and Matt (special friend Kristy Theunis) Shimon;
ten great grandchildren: Jason, Eric, Amber, Justin, Jayme, Brittany, Tyler,
Josh, and Brianna Bertrand; and Nick Guns; and five great-great
grandchildren: Brooklyn, Daytona, Jakayla, Brayden and Paige; many nieces,
nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by Esther's children: Pat & Connie
Polasik and Teri & T.J. Zaffke
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Clara; his wife, Esther; a
sister, Grace (Joe) Blahnik; father-in-law and mother-in-law: August &
Amanda Dahlke; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Eugene & Gertrude Dahlke,
Milton & Evelyn Dahlke, Elda & Claude Becker, Gertie & Charlie Blahnik, and
Laverne & Buddy Ruttner.
Relatives and friends of Elmer Kulhanek may call at Knutson-Cotter Funeral
Home, 536 County Rd R, Denmark, on Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 4:00 p.m.
until 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue
on Friday, April 27, 2012; from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at Emanuel
Ev. Lutheran Church, 5794 State Hwy 29, Henrysville. Funeral service will be
conducted at the church on Friday at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Paul Schleis
officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Online
condolences may be expressed at
www.cotterfuneralhome.com.
Elmer's family would like to thank Unity Hospice, especially his girls, Abby
and Kristen, for all of their visits, and also Renee, for all of her help.
