Elmer Otto Prodell , 100 years and nine months old, passed away on June 1, 2017, at the Wisconsin Veteran's Home in King, Wisconsin. He was born on August 27, 1916, in Abrams, Wisconsin to Harry and Minnie (Keper) Prodell. On July 31, 1943, he married Ruth Anna Kudick at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in the town of Montpelier.
He was a World War II Veteran, serving in the United States and the European Theatre as a member of the Military Police in the US Army, from September 7, 1941 to November 14, 1945. In addition to operating a dairy farm in Rio Creek, his work as a licensed cheese maker included factories in Rendezvous, Ellisville, Slovan, Rio Creek and Casco. He was an active member of the Casco American Legion Post 319-Thibaudeau Drossart, the Disabled American Veterans Post, No. 3 in Green Bay, and the VFW post in Green Bay. He found enjoyment in gardening, fishing, traveling, spending time at the cabin in Townsend, and family gatherings with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He always said, "It is good to-get-together!"
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Ruth; two sons, Ronald (Fay) Prodell and Sheldon (Shirley) Prodell; two daughters, Marilyn Ihlenfeldt and Lila (Larry) Schlorf; ten grandchildren, Michelle Phillip (special friend Roy), Shawn (Jenny) Prodell, Tom Prodell, Tim Prodell, Travis (Elsie) Prodell, Nichole (Shawn) Campbell, Jason Ihlenfeldt, Ben Smith, Chris (Christine) Smith and Andrew (fiancAC. Alyson) Smith; six great-grandchildren, Morgan Phillip, Marie Prodell, Dillon Prodell, Emma Smith, Jackson Smith and Evelyn Smith; one step-great-grandson, Eric Schwister; two sisters-in-law, LaVerne Koehler and Helen Kudick; one brother-in-law, Orville Kudick; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by one daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Ron Smith; grandson-in-law, John Phillip; his parents, Harry and Minnie Prodell; his parents-in-law, Henry and Margaret Kudick; seven brothers and sisters, Mary (Carl) Laabs, Clara (John) Eichmann, Herbert (Maime) Prodell, Sally Scott, Emma (Ray) Robinson, Ruth (Jim) DeGreef and Paul (Lillian) Prodell; sisters and brothers-in-law, Myrtle and Glenway Luedtke, Elmer Koehler, Henry Kudick Jr., and Betty Kudick.
Visitation will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, Rankin, from 9:30-11:00 AM on Monday, June 5, 2017. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM with Pastor Carl Brewer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with full military rites. Wiesner & Massart Funeral Homes is assisting the family. Condolence messages can be shared here .
His children would like to give a special thank you to the staff of the Third Floor, Olson Hall, Wisconsin Veteran's Home, King, Wisconsin, for their professional and compassionate care of our dad.
