Delores-  Deepest sympathy from Mike,Lee, and Irene Barrick

Dear Delores & Family:  May the Peace of God that surpasses all understanding, be with each of you as you grieve the loss of one so dear.  Know that you are in our prayers.  The first year is so difficult as each day is a first without the one you love.  Remember to celebrate those special days, he will know that your thoughts and hearts are with him.  With Sincere Sympathy.  Colleen & Bill Shepard

I was a just a kid when Vernon and Delores left Milwaukee for south Florida, maybe 9 or 10, but I do have some memories of Vernon I'd like to share, they're mostly from observing my father Allen's experiences with Vernon. Like the phone call after the 1972 Miami Dolphins won the Super Bowl over the Redskins. Vernon was so sure that this team was way better than any team the Packers ever had. Allen, a Packers fan, obviously disagreed...you can imagine how that phone conversation went.
In the late 70's, Vernon and Delores came up to Milwaukee and came over to Allen's house for a visit. I was helping to put a new liner in the above ground swimming pool in the backyard. I heard someone call out to Allen. I thought to myself... that guy sounds just like Marlon Brando in The Godfather... I looked over the pool wall and there was Vernon, shaking hands with Allen, they both looked real happy.
It seemed the years faded away when they actually did see each other, as if they were picking up an old conversation that they had left behind, unfinished in the past. This seemed to happen during the hot summer of 1988 when they got together to bury their older brother Kenneth. 
The last time I saw Vernon and Delores was in the winter of 1989 when he came to bury Allen. After the graveside service at the cemetery, all the relatives came over to Allen's house to be with his wife Pearl. 
The scene looked exactly like those old pictures from 25 years before, when people would come over for holidays. I'll never forget how relaxed he looked sitting there on the couch, he looked happy; he looked like he was home.

Thanks for all the fond childhood memories. Especially all the ham and rolls on Sunday afternoons. I will never forget Vernon telling people they are full of “hops”, especially Dolores.

Grandpa, I have many great memories from my childhood growing up in Florida. Playing volleyball in the pool was so much fun. You showed me a lot of your different collectible things. My favorite things to look at was your stamp collection. I remember some of the great conversations I had with you when I was a kid. I will cherish those forever.Love Ken Kohlwaies Jr

Dad I will always love you. I am my fathers daughter for always. You were always there for me . Throughout the years. Life is such a gift, and parents should be treated with love and dignity for always. I wish you the family love YOU deserve always Your daughter Kathy

I'm very sorry to hear that Grandpa Kohlwaies has passed on. I have some great memories of him growing up and he was such a nice man. My sympathies for everyone in the family. Love, Brian.

Grandpa,
I want you to know how much you are loved and how much you will be missed. As one of your oldest grandchildren, I have so many wonderful memories I will cherish forever...from the time I as a little girl, when you use to call me your little cindy lou...to recent days as now a 40 year old woman feeling the emotion of that same little girl losing the grandfather she loved. I live with such deep love, respect and admiration for the man you were and how much precious time i had with you and grandma. Not many adults get the precious gift of making it to 40 and still have the ability to share their life with their grandparents. I will never forget the smile on your face when i surprised you with a visit for your 80th bday. I walked into that restaurant to see you and my heart will never forget the joy when i hugged you. Thank you for being a source of love, pride and happiness. A few years ago I got to spend Thanksgiving with you and grandma and kathy and tom..and even my mom came down...and I will cherish that always as such a wonderful holiday time. Family and love is what my heart holds always for you....god bless you and I will miss you....Love Cynthia

Aunt Delores, Kenny, Tommy, Kathy, Grandchildren, and Great-Grandchildren:

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.  Memories of Uncle Vern are very fond.  We especially remember the trips to Florida enjoying the swimming pool and the fierce games of water volleyball.  It was so much fun! 

We loved listening to him describe the various tropical plants that grew around the house and when pointing to his beloved grapefruit tree he would say with a mischievous smile,  "Every morning I pick a grapefruit and eat it for breakfast.  I bet you can't do that in Wisconsin!"  He will be missed. Our sympathies to everyone in the family.

Aunt Delores and Kenny, Tommy and Kathy - Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.  My husband and I have fond memories of Uncle Vern.  He was a wonderful man.  We especially enjoyed visiting in Florida and playing a great game of water volleyball in the pool.  He was a fierce competitor!  May he find peace in heaven.  Our sympathies to all of you.

My dad was also a grandfather and great-grandfather which should be duly noted .
Grandchildren by Kenneth Kohlwaies: Kenneth Kohlwaies Jr.,Cynthia Erhlichmann,Brian Kohlwaies,Erica Kohlwaies, and Steven Kohlwaies.
Grandchildren by Thomas Kohlwaies: Thomas Kohlwaies Jr.(Arianette) and Kimberly Bennett.
Great-grand children by Thomas Kohlwaies Jr.: Nathan Fernandez,Jasmine Kohlwaies,and Angelina Kohlwaies
Great-grandchildren by Kimberly Bennett: Mia Bennett and Talan Bennett
Living old enough to see three generations of your family should be
recognized.
Dad I love you and will miss you and await the time when we reunite in heaven    
                             Tommy

Delores, Ken, Tom and Kathy,
Sorry for the loss of your husband and your father.  He'll be in our thoughts on this day. Love from all of us in Milwaukee.

Dear Aunt Delores and Cousins,
Our deepest peace and sympathy to all of you.  We will never forget all the great family memories that Uncle Vern created. He had a good life and leaves a great legacy.  Love and hugs,

Dad - I remember when I was 4 and having my tonsils out and how nuts you got when they took me away because you were so scared for me. I also remember when you bought our first house in Milwaukee that was then in the middle of nowhere.  I can still see you walking 4 blocks to the corner to take the bus to work at 6 a.m. in the rain, heat, and freezing cold. Fridays we met you at the bus corner to go to the store to buy groceries.  Friday night was eggs and pork n' beans and you would pick out the pork. Saturdays you loved your baby calf liver and buttermilk.  Then in the summer you worked in the garden - and we had picnics at Lake Muskego where I nearly drowned.  Remember how Tommy and I stole the beer from the rec room?  Then there were the Packer games.  There were so many memories that will always be mine.  But most of all, Dad, I'll never forget you were my dad.   Your oldest son,  Ken.

Dear Aunt Delores and family,

Please accept our family's sympathy at the passing of Uncle Vernon.  Our prayers go out to all of you at this time.

OBITUARY

Vernon Henry Kohlwaies

February 2, 1927 – June 20, 2012

Bailey Memorial

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