Norman H. “Norm” Wehlage, born March 21, 1936, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Dec. 8, 2024, at the age of 88.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with the Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Lake Henry American Legion.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and 10-10:45 a.m. Dec. 13 at the church.
Norm graduated from Melrose High School in 1954. Following graduation, he went on to serve in the United States Army and was called to active duty with the 32nd Division during the Berlin crisis. After serving in the military, he took over the family farm and was a dedicated farmer for 40 years. Alongside farming, he was involved in the Grove Mutual Fire Insurance Company, where he held various positions. He was a board member and manager of The Mutual as well as running his own independent agency. Alongside his professional career, he was a director on the Production Credit Association Board for 20 years. He also served as a lector, usher and trustee at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove.
Norm married Mathilda Olmscheid Sept. 15, 1962, and shared 62 wonderful years with her, their four children and their families. Norm was a simple man who understood and appreciated the treasures of daily life. His favorite things were having a good home cooked meal with family, taking a drive to inspect his fields or sitting down to play games with friends. Norm deeply valued community and connection and made great effort to look out for friends and neighbors alike. His friends and family will remember his quiet and loving nature, as well as his deep devotion to his role of father and grandfather.
Norm is survived by his wife, Tillie; children Sandra (Thomas) Dreshar, Mike (Julie) Wehlage, Jim (Jody) Wehlage and Janice (Chad) Funk; 12 grandchildren Katelyn, Matthew, Brandon, Emily (Ryan), Jadyn, Max, Sam, Charlie, Luke, Cole, Paige and Morgan; sister Pat (Stan) Rausch; brother Vern (Jane) Wehlage; and sister-in-law Joyce Wehlage.
Norm was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mary (Ostendorf) Wehlage; infant brother Werner; brothers Elmer and Ray (Joan); sisters Karen and Bernice (Robert) Welters; and grandson Issac Funk.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.
