Francis William Pohlkamp, Sr.

Middleton – Francis W. Pohlkamp, Sr. “Frank”, passed away on Monday, February 5, 2018, at home in the presence of his family. He was born in Buckman, MN on July 26, 1924 the son of William T. and Mary A. (Mischke) Pohlkamp. Francis attended St. Michael’s School in Buckman and St. Crosier Seminary in Onamia, MN. In 1943, he moved to Minneapolis and worked for First National Bank.After attending a friend’s wedding in Chicago in September of 1944, on his return trip, he stopped in Madison. After a chance encounter with the owner of a restaurant, the Spanish Café, he was offered a job on the spot. It was there that Francis met the love of his life, and soon to be wife, Mary. On October 5, 1945 Francis was united in marriage with Mary (Irish) Lynch at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Madison. In 1946, Francis became the first chef for the Hoffman House where he developed the recipes for all of their salad dressings and sauces. In 1953, Francis left the Hoffman House and with a business partner opened “The Terrace Cafeteria” in Madison. Eventually, Augie Faulkner, owner of the Edgewater, hired Francis to be the head chef of the Edgewater restaurant. After leaving the Edgewater, Francis and Mary operated the Pheasant Room at the Stamm House in Middleton from 1961 until 1970 where they were well known for Mom’s hostessing and Dad’s infamous Friday night fish fry and Sunday’s chicken and dumplings. While working at the Stamm House, Bishop Wirz asked Francis to assist and train the staff with the cooking at Holy Name Seminary. Francis established Pohlkamp Realty in 1978 and expanded the business to include Pohlkamp & Associates Appraisal firm in 1985. While operating Pohlkamp & Associates he employed many of his children and grandchildren.  Francis was active in the Knights of Columbus Monsignor Lederer Council 4549 where he served as treasurer, Deputy Grand Knight, Grand Night, Trustee and District Deputy of District #45 and Membership Chairman of the Madison Diocese.   He received “The Family of the Year award for the Madison Diocese” in 1999 and he received Wisconsin State Council Knights of Columbus Medallion Award in 2001. Francis is survived by his children, Julie Pohlkamp of Middleton, Chris (John) Biser of Waunakee, Colleen Peckham of Madison, Kevin (Nan Jean) Pohlkamp of Windsor, Mark (Sue) Pohlkamp of Junction City, Brian Smith of Evansville, Daniel (Patti) Pohlkamp of Portage, Mary Allen of Madison, Joanne (Buddy) Sigmon of Middleton and Francis (Julia) Pohlkamp, Jr. of Middleton, grandchildren Shane Pohlkamp, Jodi Biser, Joshua (Taylor) Biser, Ashley (Adam) Rostad, Melissa (Steve) Dale, Jessica (Mike) Endsley, Troy (Ann) Pohlkamp, Erin (Cory) Giacoletto, Kyle Pohlkamp, Noah and Jonah Smith, Tracie (Steve) Kayartz, Adam, Cory and Bradley Pohlkamp, Trevor, James, RJ, and Jacob Allen, Preston, Amelia and Parker Sigmon, and Isabel and Evan Pohlkamp and great-grandchildren, Monique Krohm, Brooks Biser, Allison, Zander and Maya Dale, Ezekiel and Josephine Endsley, Wesley Pohlkamp, Liam Giacoletto, Rylyne, Brody and Kenlie Kayartz, Sean Allen, Jr.(mother Barbara Rudd Allen) and Carter Pohlkamp. He is also survived by a brother LeRoy, sisters-in-law Marie Pohlkamp, Regina Lindauer and Diane Sewell and brother-in-law James (Jan) Lynch, sister-in-law Joanna Burke-Lynch as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Francis was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary (Irish) Lynch, his daughter Rose (Brian) Smith, infant sons Peter and Paul, granddaughter Kendra Pohlkamp, grandson Sean Allen and great-grandson Dakota Pohlkamp, his parents, his brothers Lambert, Claire and Maurice and in-laws Rose Lynch Hoffman, Alfred Lindauer, Patricia and Wayne Schimelfenig, John Lynch, and Francis’ special friend, Myrt Bush. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Avenue, Middleton at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2018 with Fr. Brian J. Wilk presiding. Family and friends may visit from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2018 at Gunderson West Funeral Home and also at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. to time of service. In lieu of flowers, family would prefer that memorials be given in his name.  The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Dr. John Moses of Wisconsin Heart whose dedication and compassion were of such great comfort to not only Dad and Mom over the years but to the entire family and to Agrace HospiceCare, Inc. for their guidance in helping us to honor Dad’s wish of being at home. A very special thank you to “Nurse Dan,” Brandon, Jessica, Jenifer and Joann for sharing their special talents with us. Francis, Dad, Papa:Thank you for instilling in us, your family and friends, a true sense of unconditional love. The words devout, generous and accepting come to mind in describing you. Whether as a father, grandpa, mentor or friend, your door was always open (not to mention your kitchen) and there was always an abundance of food, in fact, more than enough for everyone. Even in the lean times, you gave from your want and taught us to live our faith every day. We will always miss you, we will always follow you, we will always love you. Our father, our grandpa, our “papa,” our friend.