Palmer F. Nehls

Palmer F. Nehls, 87, town of Hustisford, WI was delivered into the arms of his Savior on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Watertown Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.

Palmer was born July 15, 1928 in the town of Hustisford to Frank & Selma Nehls.  He attended grade school at Bethany Lutheran in Hustisford, and graduated from Hustisford High School in 1946.  He has been a lifetime member of Bethany Lutheran Church.  He was drafted into the Army and was a M.P. during the Korean War.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 420 in Hustisford, serving as commander, treasurer and adjutant.

He married Evona M. Schultz Sept. 11, 1954.  They farmed in the town of Hustisford and started their herd of Nehls-Valley Registered Holsteins.  He was a member of the Holstein Association and the Red & White Holstein Association, being honored by the Dodge County Holstein Association Breeders in 1995.  He was an AMPI delegate, and a Foremost delegate.  He served as dairy leader for the Sinissippi 4-H Club, and as a charter member of the Hustisford FFA Alumni, and was awarded the FFA Honorary Degree, and the Outstanding Farmer Award at the Wisconsin State Fair in 1976.

Palmer was a town of Hustisford supervisor for 23 years, serving as town chairman for eight years.  He was also the recipient of the Hustisford Lions Club’s 2011 Community Service Award.  He was a former member of the Hustisford Volunteer Fire Department and Hustisford Rod and Gun Club.

When Evona died on their 35th anniversary on Sept. 11, 1989, Palmer was again blessed, and found love and companionship when he married Colleen Uecker (Peterman) on October 9th, 1999.

He bowled on the Friday Night Fun Mixed Couples League in Hustisford.  He loved gardening, fishing, pheasant hunting with his German shorthair pointer dogs, and deer hunting.  He thoroughly loved to play sheepshead, nine, farkle or just about any game where he could share a story or tell a joke or two.  When the Brewer’s game came on tv, he was watching.  You could find him at the County Fair and local dairy shows watching his children and later grandsons with proud eyes, as they acquired his love of farming and showing dairy cattle.

Survivors include his wife Colleen, one             son, Gene (Janet) Nehls of Hustisford; two daughters, Sheryl Nehls and Christine Gabsch, both of Cleveland WI; six grandsons, Bradley (Melissa) Nehls of New Ulm, MN; Brandon “B.J.”, Shawn & Seth Nehls all of Hustisford;  Kyle Gabsch of Random Lake, WI, and Derek Gabsch (special friend Steph Winkel)of Cleveland, WI; one great-grandson, Micah Nehls of New Ulm, MN; one brother, Kenneth (Merrilyn) Nehls of Watertown, WI; brothers and sisters-in laws, Jane Schultz & Jermaine (Lloyd) Breslow all of Mayville, WI, Janette Nehls of Watertown, WI; also Betty Schmidt, Florence Weisgerber, Arlene (Robert) Kuehl, Dean (Marylee) Peterman, Richard (Barbara) Peterman, and Linda (Robert) Fehrman.  He is further survived by his step-sons and their families:  Gerald (Sandy) Uecker and their children Angela Uecker  (special friend Don Schaefer) and daughter Bryanna, Tammy Uecker, Melissa (Tony) Pieper and children Brianne & Allissa, Shawn (Amy) Uecker;  Steven (Diane) Uecker and their children Ryan Uecker & his children Trenton, Faith & Trey, Kyle (Jenny) Uecker & their children Ethan & Abigail, Kristi (Brian) Fiedler & their daughter Allyson.  Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Palmer was preceded in death by his first wife Evona; his parents, Frank & Selma Nehls; his parents-in-laws, Reinhard & Hilda Schultz, & Louis & Mary Peterman; one sister Bernice (Elmer) Fredrick, one brother Merrill “Butch” Nehls, and twin siblings in infancy, along with other in-laws.

Friends and relatives may call to pay their respects at Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church, 269 N Lake St., Hustisford, WI on Tuesday evening 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. at Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church with the Rev. Joshua Kesting officiating.  Burial will follow with full military honors under the auspices of Hustisford American Legion Post #420 at Hustisford Cemetery. Memorials for the upkeep of American Legion Post 420, Hustisford would be appreciated, or to the charity of your choice. A special thank you to his wonderful daughters-in-law’s, Janet & Diane who with their loving care allowed him to continue living in his house.

The Berndt-Ledesma Funeral Home –Hustisford is serving the family.

www.berndt-ledesma.com

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