Harley "Jim" Kuhlmann

Harley “Jim” Kuhlmann, 94, of Hokah, MN was called to his Heavenly home on Monday, November 23, 2020 with his wife by his side, at Valley View Healthcare in Houston, Mn. He was born on October 2, 1926 at home in Carpenter, Iowa to Hans and Cora (Carlsgaard) Kuhlmann. He was baptized as an infant and confirmed in 1940 at Deer Creek Lutheran Church in Iowa. He was a long- time member of Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in Hokah, holding several office positions over the years.

Harley was a WWII Veteran. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 at the age of 17, two days after graduating from High School. He married Audrey Nunemacher after a seven- year courtship, and the were together for 67 years. Harley drove truck for his brother, was employed at La Crosse Rubber Mills, worked for the Bridge and Building Crew for Milwaukee Railroad, worked for nineteen years at Trane Company and several years at Midwest Gas Company both in La Crosse, owned and managed Hokah IGA grocery store. He also had part time jobs at Hokah Cheese Factory, Bailey Paper, Inc. and Ready Bus Company both in La Crescent. After his retirement he did meat cutting for Quillins Grocery Store in La Crescent.

He was a council member for Hokah and also a two term Mayor, during the Como Park restoration. He enjoyed horses, owning several with his daughter, Wanda. He loved a good game of cards. He was a fan of the Green Bay Packers, New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins. He enjoyed watching movies with his family and grandkids. Westerns were his favorite, especially John Wayne movies. He also enjoyed Christian movies.

Harley is survived by his wife Audrey, two sons Keith (Donna) and Daryl (fiance’ Stephanie Olson), three daughters Diane Newman, Kathy (Charles) Clark and Shelly Rae (Brian) Dickes, grandchildren Andrea (Nicholas) Henley, James Kuhlmann, Andrew (Ellen) & Christopher (Brianna) Newman, Nathan Clark, Brittany (Jordan) Gazdek, Josh (Alyssa) Kuhlmann, Gabrielle & Callie Kuhlmann, Alan & Erin Dickes. Precious great grandchildren Ashlyn & Daniel Henley, Bri Ella, Cohen and Olivia Newmann, Maximus Harley Marshman, step great grand-daughter Ava Marshman along with several wonderful nieces, nephews and special friends Loran Olson, Karen Kuhlmann. He was preceded in death by a daughter Wanda Kaye and a son-in-law David Newman.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Pastor John Unnasch, the staff at Valley View Healthcare, Dr. Peter Franta, Mayo Hospice nurses, Fran Felton – talented singer and guitarist and Pastor Kristin Van Hengingen.

A public visitation will be held on Friday, November 27, 2020 from 4-6 PM at the Schumacher – Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse. Facial coverings are required and social distancing guidelines will be enforced. A private funeral service will be held at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in Hokah. Pastor John Unnasch will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery.