Heinz Kurt Martin Rehfeld

Found peace on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at the age of 85, surrounded by his family. Beloved husband of Ruth (nee Laucht) of almost 60 years. Beloved father of Linda (Mark) Klemm and David (Beverly) Rehfeld. Dearest Opa of Austin, Sarah, Joshua, Nikolas, and Lukas, and Emma (the yorkie). Cherished brother of Hildegard Holl (Gerhard Brehm) and the late Horst, and his 7 siblings in Germany: Waltraud (the late Helmut), Willi (Margot), Lieselotte (the late Herbert), Gerhard (Ulla), Erwin (Beate), Rolf (Ute) and Inge (Lothar). Dear brother-in-law of Hildegard Sauerwein (the late Willi). Further survived by many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by family and friends, both here and in Germany. Heinz was a retired mason from Local 8. Heinz was very active for many years in his German community. He was honorary president of the Milwaukee Liedertafel, member of the Milwaukee Liederkranz, and honorary president of Kulturvereinigung/Deutsche Schule. He was a German Fest volunteer for 31 years.

Heinz Rehfeld was born October 3, 1928 in Friedenberg, Ostpreussen, Germany, to his parents, Martin and Gertrud Rehfeld. He was the oldest of 9 children: Heinz, Waltraud, Willi, Lieselotte, Gerhard, Erwin, Hildegard,Rolf and Inge.

In 1944, at only 15 years old, he was drafted into the German army in the last days of World War II. He never was able to go back to his home in Ostpreussen. After the war, he found his family again in Northern Germany.

In 1950, he moved to Gevelsberg, Westfalen, Germany, to find work in his profession as a mason.

In 1951, he met Ruth and they married in 1954.

On July 24, 1962, he made his dream come true, and he immigrated, together with Ruth, to the United States. They moved to Milwaukee, where Heinz's sister and brother-in-law, Hildegard and Horst, were living. Heinz and his sister were the only siblings who moved to the U.S.

Heinz and Ruth have two children, Linda (Mark) and David (Beverly). They have 5 grandchildren, Austin, Sarah, Joshua, Nikolas and Lukas.

In 1973, Heinz and Ruth became citizens of the United States. Heinz was very proud to be an American, but he never forgot his German heritage.

In 1977/78, Heinz and Ruth were Prinzenpaar for the Spielmannzug Milwaukee. They were members of the Spielmannzug for many years.

In 1977, Heinz joined the Milwaukee Liedertafel, a German Men's Chorus. He was the president for 28 years, and they recently made him honorary president. Over the years, the Liedertafel lost a lot of their members, either through death or moving away, and their membership greatly declined. In Fall of 2013, to keep on singing, which he loved, he joined the Milwaukee Liederkranz, also a German Men's Chorus.

In 1989, as President of the Liedertafel, Heinz was very instrumental in helping to establish the Milwaukee Damenchor, German Ladies' Chorus.

Besides being with the singing societies, Heinz was Vice President of the Wisconsin Saengerbezirk for 18 years. In 2010, the Wisconsin Saengerbezirk honored him with the Helmut Buehmann Award for his many years of dedicated service. He was also President of the United Milwaukee Choruses. For a number of years, he was President of the Kulturvereinigung/Deutsche Schule. They made him honorary president in December, 2013.

Until 2012, Heinz was very active at German Fest to make the Sauerbraten. He did this for 31 years. He also worked at the Folk Fair for many years in the German food both and later in the German merchandise booth.

Heinz was also an avid soccer fan. He enjoyed watching Bundesliga, English Premier League and Champions League games, and especially the World Cup games.

Heinz touched many lives in his 85 years. He will be missed by many friends in the German community.

Heinz was a good provider for his family. He worked as an excellent stone mason until his retirement in 1990. He left his mark on countless buildings and fireplaces in Milwaukee and surrounding communities. He had an eye for how stones fit together and when a project was complete, it was always a work of art. He was very proud of his trade.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother (in-law), uncle. On August 20, 2014, Heinz and Ruth would have celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary. Heinz will be greatly missed by his family, especially by Ruth, the other half of him.

Visitation at the WISCONSIN MEMORIAL PARK, CHAPEL OF THE CHIMES on Thursday, July 3, 2014 from 4:00 pm until the time of service at 7:00 pm.