Jonas Sylvester Kammerude

Jonas Sylvester Kammerude, age 96 of the Mineral Point Care Center, formerly of Blanchardville, died on Saturday morning, December 5, 2015 at the care center. He was born on the family home farm on August 27, 1919 near Blanchardville to Peter Ole and Mary (Kainz) Kammerude. He lived on the family home farm for his whole life. Jonas attended school in Blanchardville and graduated from the Blanchardville High School in 1938 where he excelled in football and baseball. After graduating high school he worked for the Lafayette County Highway Department, and then entered the United States Army Air Corps and served during World War II. He was married to Doris Leone Hanson in 1949 in Darlington. Following service he returned to his job with the highway department, and retired from there at age 65. Jonas loved to travel on Tri-State Tours bus tours, traveling with Doris to almost all the 50 states. He loved watching the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers, plus watching his kids and grandkids play football, baseball, basketball and softball. Jonas was a proud member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, was a life member of the Darlington Knights of Columbus, a life member of the Blanchardville American Legion, and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. A highlight of his later years was participating in a Badger Honor Flight in 2012 with his good friend Howard Torkelson, accompanied by his son Tom Kammerude. Jonas' life spanned working in the farm field with horses, Model "T" Fords, to the remote controls of today that would drive him crazy.

Jonas is survived by his four children, Tom (Kathryn) Kammerude of Blanchardville, Terri (Rick) Carlson of Hollandale, Deanne (Gordy) Smukowski of Wautoma and Leo (Betty) Gross of Brownsville, Texas; Nine grandchildren, Chuck, Laurie, Troy, Scott, Matt, Gina, Kate ,Stacy and Ashley; 21 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Doris who died on November 20, 2010; his brother Lavern and his sister Marcella.

A visitation will be held on Friday evening, December 11, 2015 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Blanchardville with a Rosary service prior at 3:30PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the church on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 11:00 AM. Fr. Thomas Gillespie will officiate. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Blanchardville. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com