Joseph Mandelert

VISITATION: (note the date)

9:30 - 11 a.m. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19 at First Presbyterian Church, 130 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls

SERVICE:

11 a.m. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19 at First Presbyterian Church, 130 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls

Joseph C. "Joe" Mandelert, 91, of Chippewa Falls, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at St. Joseph's Hospital.

He was born July 29, 1925 in Chippewa Falls, the son of Gertrude (McKellar) and Charles Lloyd Mandelert.

Joe graduated from Chippewa Falls High School, class of 1943, with honors. Joe started college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army in 1944. He served for two years in the 28th Infantry and participated in the Battle of the Bulge while in Europe. Joe returned to UW Madison and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949.

He joined the family business at the Chippewa Woolen Mill until it's closing in 1962. He worked at Catalytic Combustion in Bloomer, WI, then transferred to Arlington Heights, IL for two years. He returned to Chippewa Falls to finish his career at WS Darley, retiring as Chief Engineer at the age of 74.

On December 27, 1947, Joe married Kathrene "Katie" Baker at the First Presbyterian Church in Chippewa Falls. They had 56 wonderful years together. Joe was a long time member and officer of the Elks, and they both were members of First Presbyterian Church, the Century Club, Jolly Corks, and helped start a monthly Supper Club with several friends that went for over 50 years. She preceded him in death on October 21, 2003.

On June 28, 2008, Joe had a second chance at love and married his longtime friend, Ellen (nee Hein) Devine. The two had known each other since they were kids; even taking piano lessons together at ages 4 and 5. Their friendship lasted a lifetime, spending time as couples with their first spouses as they were all a part of the Supper Club and members of the same church. Both families were delighted in uniting this wonderful couple, and have enjoyed watching the special love and joy they have shared.

Joe stayed physically and mentally active his entire life. He did Royal Canadian Air Force exercises every day, and enjoyed many sports including golf, downhill skiing, bowling, snow mobiling and annual trips fishing in Canada. His passion was music, and he continued his piano playing throughout his life... when Joe sat down at the piano, the party started! Joe also had a beautiful tenor voice, and had many lead parts in school musicals, had a band called the "Muscle Mandelert Music Makers," sang in a barbershop quartet, "The Four Roses", and was still singing in the church choir.

Hopefully everyone has someone like Joe in their lives. He only saw the good in people, and treated them with respect and kindness. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Ellen Devine of Chippewa Falls; son James (Kathi) Mandelert of Chippewa Falls; daughter, Julia Gribbon of Cottage Grove, WI; a grandson, Mitchell Mandelert of Eau Claire; Ellen's children Thomas (Jane) Devine of Racine, Catherine (Robert) Lea of Chippewa Falls, and Megan (Quentin Reimer) Devine of Eagan MN; Ellen's grandchildren, Matthew (Kim) Lea, Marty (Tom) Lea, Marian Lea, Ryan (Amy) Devine, and Lauren (Mike) Devine.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Katie, two brothers, Charles "Chuck" Mandelert and Hugh Mandelert; and son-in-law, Dan Gribbon.

A memorial celebration of Joe's life will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 19 at First Presbyterian Church, Chippewa Falls. Internment with military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. to time of service.

Memorials are appreciated and may go to any of the following local organizations in Joe's honor: First Presbyterian Church, Heyde Center for the Arts-CVCA, Chippewa Falls Museum of Industry & Technology (CFMIT), Cook-Rutledge Historic Mansion, or to the Chippewa Falls History Center.