Louis "Joe" Vorpahl

Louis D. “Joe” Vorpahl, age 89 years, of West Bend passed away Friday, May 24, 2024, at his home under the loving care of his wife of 67 years, Rachel.

With the challenges of the past 34 years of being disabled, he was still able to be a loving and supportive Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, and Friend.  Not only did he gain farming experience from his first job, as a young boy, he also gained his lifelong nickname “Joe.”  He was employed at the Gehl Company for 35 years, until his disability.  One of his many joys was working the land on the Wiedmeyer and Laufer Farms, as well as driving a milk truck for the Beine Family.

Joe was born on August 18, 1934, in Kewaskum to Louis and Minnie Vorpahl (nee Nelson).  He was united in marriage to Rachel Lochen on September 15, 1956, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Newburg.

Those Joe leaves behind to cherish his memory include his wife, Rachel; son, Daniel (Special Friend Diane); daughter, Debra (Todd) Muehlius; Grandchildren, Jason (Lucy) Gibson, Tallahassee, FL, Brittney (Jacob) Cornelius, Cascade, WI, Courtney (Conrad) Castro., Fort Wayne, IN., Great Grandchildren Ava and Adrian Castro, Dominic Cornelius and Sienna Gibson. He is further survived by his sister, Ann Redinger, two brothers-in-law, Roy (Lois) Lochen and David Lochen; sisters-in-law, Jean Vorpahl, Rose Ann Klos, and Rita Lochen; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his sisters, Beatrice (Ben) Fellenz, Lois (Lee) Breitkreutz, and Doris Vorpahl; brother, Charles Vorpahl; brothers-in-law, Marvin Berndt, Leonard Redinger, Paul Lochen, and Ronald Klos; sister-in-law, Kathy Lochen; infant sisters, Elizabeth and Ellen; infant brothers, Karl and Evan; and godson, Jeff Lochen.

VISITATION:  Joe’s family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, May 31, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. at Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service (1315 W Washington St. – West Bend, WI  53095).

SERVICE:  A Funeral Service in remembrance of Joe will take place at 6:00 p.m.  on Friday at the funeral home with a light lunch to follow. Graveside service will be on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Washington County Memorial Park in West Bend.

A special thank you to Horizon Hospice, especially Nurse Tammy and Chaplain Jessica Smedal for their excellent care and support.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Joe’s arrangements.  For additional information or to leave an online condolence on the tribute wall, please visit www.myrhum-patten.com.