Maynard F. Mittlesteadt

TOWN OF CALEDONIA – Maynard F. Mittlesteadt, age 78, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the Columbia Healthcare Center in Wyocena.

Maynard was born on May 7, 1939 in Reedsburg, the fourth of six children to Levi and Theo (King) Mittlesteadt.  He met Mary Beth Crall and they were married in Reedsburg on January 18, 1964.  Maynard and Mary moved to Portage and spent their married life living in the Township of Caledonia.  They love the people and the land of Caledonia, the land they call home.  Maynard worked at the Weyenberg Shoe Manufacturing Company and Portage Community Schools.  His winning smile and friendly way was a gift in the workplace.

Maynard loved his “Mez” and his girls.  Then came the boys: Todd and Brian who gave him some companionship and male votes on his side.  He loved to hunt, fish, snow mobile and in early years he played softball in the Reedsburg and Portage Fast Pitch men’s leagues. He loved mowing his yard and working hard in the woods.  The family all loved hunting with his coon hound “Bowzer”.  In later years he was “Captain” of the pontoon on the Wisconsin River which made Sunday afternoon tubing so much fun.      

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Mittlesteadt, of Caledonia Township; his daughters, Lea Mittlesteadt and her daughter, Lexie, of Portage, Lonna (Todd) Calkins and their daughters, Emma and Lauryn of Portage, and Laura (Brian) Hirano and their daughters, Zoah and Scarlett of Shorewood; his sisters, Monica (Jim) Wagner and Myrna (Jerry) Williams, all of Reedsburg; his brother, Marvin (Merna) Mittlesteadt of Wonewoc, his sisters-in-law, Betty Mittlesteadt of Reedsburg, and Shirley Mittlesteadt of Portage, many loved nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Martin and Monard.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, with Rev. Dr. Jessica Salt officiating.  Inurnment will be in Shanks Cemetery, Township of Caledonia at a later date.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful staff at Agrace Hospice and Columbia Health Care Center for their excellent services.  We value the friendships we made with staff and residents there in this difficult time.  We would also like to thank our friends and family for their support the last several months.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shanks Cemetery to help with upkeep of the grounds.