Karl Mente

Age 89, joined his beloved wife of 61 years, Evelyn Heinze Mente, in Eternal Life on Sunday, December 6, 2009. Born in Austria on December 12, 1919, Karl immigrated to Milwaukee in 1937, at the age of 17. Within months of his arrival, his mother, who had left Austria many years earlier, entrusting his care to relatives, died a tragic death. Karl struggled to gain a foothold in America. Lacking language skills, life was hard. He often said he would have returned to his beloved Austria during those first few difficult years had he had the financial means. He persevered and at 19 was hired as an apprentice at the Harnischfeger Corporation, where he worked until his retirement as a Foreman in 1982. During WWII he served in the U.S. Navy. Karl was an avid hunter and fisherman, and a talented self-taught musician with a great love of ethnic music. He loved talking to people from all walks of life and, with his sense of humor, brought smiles to their faces. Above all, Karl loved his wife and family. At a time when many fathers wished for sons, he adored "Daddy's Girls". Above all, he loved his wife, his "Mama" as he would say. His greatest act of love was his many years caring for his wife during her long lingering illness, until her death in 2007. He set a shining example of what love is and what devotion to family means. Karl was preceded in death by his mother Luize Rieder, father Josef Zollner, stepfather Jakob Mente, his brothers Clarence and Alois Mente, niece Nancy Matschek with daughter Tania, brother-in-law Anton Matschek, dear friends Eddie and Barb Moresco, and beloved son-in-law Manfred Fees. He is survived by his loving daughters Marilyn Fees and Karen (Wes) Fields, and his cherished grandsons Michael and Carsten Fees of Oberkirch, Germany. Further survived by his sister Antschi Katholnig, brother Frank Mente, cousins Louise Feuerpfeil and Joe Benauer, sister-in-law Georgia Matschek, nieces and nephews in the U.S.A. and Austria. He will be fondly remembered by his friends on both sides of the Atlantic. May you rest in peace as your memory lives on in our hearts. Our special thanks to Dr. Christopher Sobczak and staff, Dr. Linda Scaffidi and Dr. Barry Gimbel for their dedicated and compassionate care, and to Horizon Home Care staff for their support during the final weeks of Karl's life. Thank you also to Guenther, Al and Tom: your friendship, gift of time and concern are greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten. Visitation at the Funeral Home Saturday, December 12, 10-11:45 AM. Service to follow at 12 PM. Private entombment at Wisconsin Memorial Park.