William "Bill" M. Kahl

COTTAGE GROVE- William M. "Bill" Kahl, age 65, passed away suddenly from diabetic complications of hypertensive cardiovascular disease on Friday evening, March 24, 2017, at his home. He was born in Madison on Nov. 26, 1951, the son of Julian and Dorothea (Birkeland) Kahl and attended La Follette High School, graduating in 1969. Bill attended one year at UW Madison, before entering the U.S. Army National Guard on Dec. 28, 1970. In 1971, he had nine weeks of basic training in Fort McClellan, Ala. He earned the "Outstanding Trainee" commendation and graduated May 6, 1971, as a chemical equipment repairman. Bill was honorably discharged from reserve duty on Sept. 16, 1976. He met Diane Dickerson in high school, and briefly attended UW Madison with her. They were married on May 10, 1975, after she graduated with a BS in Occupational Therapy and completed clinical affiliations. In 1987, Bill earned a one year vocational diploma in electronic servicing from Madison Area Technical College. He worked at Oscar Mayer for 30 years in several areas including the cafeteria, shipping cooler, parts storeroom, electronic trouble shooting, and even being a union steward. Bill was extremely dedicated to his career and excelled at everything he did from bowling (including youth traveling leagues, Oscar Mayer league, Madison men's leagues and Waunakee couples leagues) to instrument use and mechanical repair of anything that needed fixing. Bill started his second career doing taxes at H+R Block, while still working at Oscar Mayer, and continued into his retirement until it was medically no longer possible. Bill is survived by his wife, Diane Kahl of Cottage Grove; sisters, Julie Ann (Jim) Kuhlow of Waterloo and Pam (Ray) Phillips of Cottage Grove; cousins, Steven (Sandy) Kahl of DeForest and George (Maureen) Birkeland of Madison; numerous nieces and nephews, many with families of their own; and several brothers and sisters-in-law and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, William and Erna Kahl and Ole and Elsie Birkeland; aunts, Margaret Birkeland and Myrna Kahl; uncles, George (Haroldine) Birkeland Sr. and Art (Hazel) Kahl; mother-in-law, Tressie Lunde; and brother-in-law, Terry Lunde. A Celebration of Life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2017. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. The family is grateful to Dr. Edward Kramper and staff for everything they did to treat Bill and the ability to put up with his head-strong ideas, unique sense of humor and bickering with the wife. Memorials may be made to Dane County Humane Society, American Diabetes Association, or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420