Obituary: Dennis J. “Pat” Amel

Dennis J. “Pat” Amel, age 98, of Brothertown, passed away on June 11, 2024 at the Homestead Care Center in New Holstein.  He was born October 13, 1925 in Brothertown, son of the late Arno & Minnie (Bergien) Amel.  

Dennis proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944 until 1946 and following his honorable discharge, he married Virginia Raabe on June 28, 1950 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in New Holstein.  

He was employed at Arps Welding in New Holstein and also worked at the Winnebago Dairy.  After that, Pat took up work at H.I. Radtke Construction doing road work as well as driving cement truck for Grogan Redimix in Stockbridge until his retirement.  Even in retirement, he continued working side jobs in concrete work well into his 80’s.  

During their life together, he and his wife bought a small hobby farm just south of Brothertown where he raised steer, ducks, chickens, geese, turkeys and pigs.  

Pat was a long time member of the Stockbridge American Legion Post and was a charter member of the Brothertown Fishing Club where he had previously served as president.  He was also a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Chilton.  

In his free time, Pat enjoyed ice fishing, sturgeon spearing and perch fishing.  He enjoyed time spent outdoors gardening, raising chickens and pouring concrete.  Dennis never passed up a good round of Sheepshead and taking trips Up North where he could spend time with his family and friends.  

Survivors include his children: James (Jeanne) Amel, Linda (Ken) Stecker, Steve Amel; four grandchildren: Patrick (Andrea) Amel, Benjamin (Jessica) Amel, Jeremy Stecker, Lisa (Chris) Ott; six great grandchildren: Owen & Natalie Ott, Jameson & Avery Amel, Will & Lucy Amel; a brother: Arvid (LaVerne) Amel; and a sister-in-law: Betty Nett.  He is further survived by his nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 66 years, Virginia; brothers: Marvin (Marion) Amel, Delmar (Viola) Amel, Eldon Amel; his sisters: Velma (Art) Leitner, Norma (Lawrence) Laudolf, Elreta (Marlin) Quast; a sister-in-law: Violet (Leo) Zitzelsberger;  and a brother-in-law: Arnold Nett, Jr.  

Funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton.  Burial will be in the Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in Jericho.  A time of visitation will be held at the Wieting Family Funeral Home from 9:00 am until 10:45 am on Saturday, June 22, 2024.  At the time of the service and following, there will be a link available at wietingfuneralhome.com for those wishing to watch a memorial video or view pictures of the flowers and gifts given to the family.