Obituary of John C. Mehlhaf

John Mehlhaf went to be with the Lord while surrounded by his beloved family on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at the age of 87 years, 6 months, 29 days at the Freeman Regional Hospital, Freeman South Dakota. John Calvin Mehlhaf was born August 8, 1928 on a farm Northeast of Menno to Henry and Barbara (Schempp) Mehlhaf. He was baptized by Rev. William Huenemann at Kassel (Zion) Reformed Church North of Menno and was confirmed by Rev. William Korn June 13, 1943 also at Kassel (Zion) Reformed Church where he remained a lifelong member. His confirmation verse was Revelation 2:10. He served his church as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon, Trustee, choir member and custodian. John attended the Hoff District #44 country school and graduated from Menno High School in 1946. Although John was offered a position working at the State Capitol in Pierre, he chose to farm alongside with his father and brothers. On June 1, 1958, he married Darlene May Davidson at Bethany Lutheran Church in Hurley by Rev. Virgil Johnson. To this union, they were blessed with four children, Donna, Darrell, Paul, and Daniel. John with his wife Darlene made their living on the farm until moving to Menno in 1989. John was a man with a soft heart and a deep faith. He was a man of strong devotion to his wife and family and enjoyed spending time with his eleven grandchildren and going to their activities. Grandpa always made sure that there was plenty ice cream and cookies in the house for them. John was active in his community serving on the board of directors of Hoff School Dist. #44, Menno Elevator, Menno Lumber, Menno-Olivet Care Center, Kassel Township, and was a member of the Farmer's Union and a charter member of the Hutchinson County Farm Bureau and the Menno Pioneer Power Association. John loved to take trips with Darlene and friends, and enjoyed one special time when he and Darlene went to Alaska, and went salmon and halibut fishing. John Mehlhaf went to be with the Lord March 6, 2016 at the age of 87 years, 6 months, 29 days. He is survived by his wife Darlene, of 57 years and their four children: Donna (Anthony) Ahrendt, Darrell (Darinda) Mehlhaf, Paul (Patti Jo) Mehlhaf, and Daniel (Christie) Mehlhaf, and grandchildren: Janna, William, Brian, Dylan, Darin, Mathew (Marie), Lucas, Jason, Jordan, Mitch, and Breanna. He is also survived by his brother, Victor Mehlhaf and sisters, Caroline Roth and Ruth Mehlhaf; sisters-in-law, Cora (Harvey) Rabe, Roxanne Ensz, and Jo Mogler, brother-in-law, Carl (Gloria) Davidson and many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Arthur, Ruben, Eugene, and his sisters: Esther Kirschenman, Viola Mehlhaf in infancy, and brothers in law Ernest Kirschenman, Raymond Roth, Gaylord Davidson, Lyle Mogler, LeRoy Janssen and sisters-in-law Leona Mehlhaf, Lenora Mehlhaf, Viola Mehlhaf and Arlene Mehlhaf. On-line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.