Elmer J. Kulhanek

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. He 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 (Sam), Amber (Jeff Cross), Justin (Niki Schlies), Jayme, Brittany, Tyler, Josh, and Brianna Bertrand; and Nick Guns; five great-great grandchildren: Brooklyn, Daytona, Jakayla, Brayden and Paige; and 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 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. 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.