Harvey W. Techtman, age 92, of West Bend, passed away Monday January 11, 2010 at his home.
He was born on July 9, 1917 in the Town of Barton to the late William and Esther (nee Landvatter) and graduated from West Bend High School in the class of 1935. He then went on to complete his courses at the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science in Milwaukee. Harvey served his funeral directors apprenticeship at a funeral home in Milwaukee. Upon receiving his funeral director and embalmer license in 1938 he owned and operated a funeral home in Kewaskum until 1946. During that time he also served his country in the U.S. Army during WW II from July of 1942 until November of 1945 in the African and European Theater's.
On April 9, 1944 Harvey was united in marriage to Elizabeth "Betty" Bushman at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in West Bend.
In 1946 they sold the funeral home in Kewaskum and purchased a funeral home and furniture business in Hilbert, WI. In 1956 they sold that business, returned to West Bend, and formed a partnership with Ole Myrhum to purchase the Kapfer-Gehl Funeral Home and furniture business in West Bend and Barton. The name was changed to Techtman-Myrhum. In 1966 a new funeral home was opened in West Bend on West Washington Street. Harvey retired in 1974.
Harvey and Betty then did some traveling and took several cruises. For 24 years they spent the winter months in Mesa, AZ and the summers in West Bend.
He was a member of St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in West Bend, and had been an integral part of the planning commission for the building of the hospital in Chilton.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Betty; four children, Kay (Raymond) Kelch of Ripon, Jerome Techtman of West Bend, James Techtman of Mesa, AZ, and Beth (James) Vreim of the Town of Ashford in Fond du Lac County; eight grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; a sister, Evelyn (Merril) Krueger of West Bend; a brother William Techtman of Waukesha; a brother-in-law, Robert Bushman of Elmhurst, IL; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his son Carl in 1978.
A memorial service for Harvey's family will be held at a future date. Cremation took place at Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral & Cremation Service, and burial of his cremated remains will be in Washington County Memorial Park. Memorials in Harvey's name may be given to St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church.