Joseph James Muhlebach

Joseph James Muhlebach (Joe), 94, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease and related Dementia. He was born December 8, 1930, to parents Frank X. Muhleback and Rachel (Bush) Muhleback in Dixon, IL. He spent his formative years in Dixon, and graduated from Dixon High School in 1948, at which time he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He attended the Aircraft Machinist School at Chanute Field in Rantoul, IL, then spent two years on Okinawa supporting the Korean War effort. In 1952, Joe was honorably discharged from the Air Force with the rank of Staff Sergeant after four years of service and was accepted by the school of Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, he accepted a position with Kimberly-Clark Corporation in Neenah, WI as a Mechanical Engineer.

Joe met Anne C. Kettenhofen, a native of Appleton, WI and they were married on October 4, 1958, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Appleton. Together they raised three children, Catherine, Patricia and Michael.

In 1990, Joe retired from Kimberly-Clark following 32 years of varied service; five of those years were in the International Division of Kimberly-Clark, which involved worldwide travels to the Far East, Europe, Mexico, Columbia, and Kuwait.

Joe enjoyed a host of varied hobbies. He was a skilled machinist, carpenter, mechanic, and general jack-of-all trades. Many relatives, friends, and acquaintances respected his knowledge and expertise, and frequently asked him for help or advice. He enjoyed woodcarving, and produced many creative carvings, especially boots, Santas and mice, which he would often share with relatives and friends. Additionally, Joe made several decorative items, which the recipients treasured. When he made a new carving or item, he would often have to make four – one for Anne and one for each of the children!

Joe was an avid sailor and a competitive tennis player, doing so until the age of 86. He will be remembered for his incredible smile and friendliness to all.

Upon retirement in 1990, Joe and Anne traveled to Florida for several months during the winter, eventually settling full time in Port Charlotte. In 2019 they returned to Appleton to be closer to family, at which time they moved to the Appleton Touchmark Assisted Living and Memory Care facility.

Joe is survived by his wife of 66 years, Anne; children Catherine Dougherty, Neenah, WI; Patricia (David) McCarthy, Appleton, WI; and Michael (Bonnie) Muhlebach, Menasha, WI; five grandchildren, Jessica (Matt) Krahenbuhl, Menasha, WI; Katie (Josh) Vechart, Appleton, WI; Parker Dougherty and fiancée Sarah Gilmour, Grimes, IA; Connor McCarthy, DePere, WI and Cara McCarthy, Wauwatosa, WI; two great grandchildren, Henry Joseph and Brynlee Anne Vechart, Appleton, WI.

He is further survived by sisters Marie Foley, Sterling, IL; Helen Snyder, Dixon, IL, brother-in-law Eugene (Nancy) Book, Sterling, IL; sister-in-law Fay Kettenhofen, Appleton, WI, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Clarence Muhleback, Charles Muhleback and Frank E. Muhleback; sisters, Margaret Muhleback, Lucille Book and Carolyn Ehrecke; brothers-in-law James Foley, Richard Snyder, Robert Kettenhofen and John Kettenhofen; sisters-in-law Mary Kettenhofen, Maxine Kettenhofen, and Joan Stranathan. 

A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Appleton, WI. There will be a visitation starting at 9:00 am, with Mass at 11:00 am, followed by military honors, and a luncheon in the parish hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

If you would like to plant a tree in Joe’s memory, please click on Send Flowers or Plant a Tree for more information.

The family wishes to thank St. Croix Hospice and the entire Touchmark staff and caregivers, who all gave so much of themselves to help make Joe’s final days comfortable.