Arthur P. Kaltenberg
February 23, 1929 - June 12, 2017
Obituary
MADISON–Arthur Peter “Art” Kaltenberg, age 88, passed away on Monday, June 12, 2017. He was born on Feb. 23, 1929, in Madison, the son of Arthur “Tony” and Margaret (Hellenbrand) Kaltenberg. Art graduated from Madison East High School, Class of 1947. He was united in marriage to Charlene Fess on April 15, 1950, at St. Bernard Catholic Church. Art worked for Schoepp’s Ice Cream and Oscar Mayer. He also played for the Gardener’s AAA baseball team, and was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies, but in the end decided to become a fire fighter with the City of Madison. He worked as a fire fighter for the City of Madison for 33 years, retiring as captain in 1984. Following retirement, Art and Charlene moved to Florida for a year before returning to Wisconsin. After returning, he started his own fire investigation business. He also enjoyed traveling, dancing, curling, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family at the cabin. Art is survived by his wife of 67 years, Charlene; children, Pam (Jerome “Jerry”) Kraft, Dr. Michael (Sharon) Kaltenberg, Thomas (Jennifer) Kaltenberg, Lynn Semrad, and James “Jim” Kaltenberg; grandchildren, Stephen (Tina) Kraft, Gregory (Emily) Kraft, Stephanie (Peter) Wetzel, Charles Kaltenberg, Alicia (fiance’ Nathan Kirkman) Kaltenberg, Gareth Kaltenberg, Olivia (Benjamin) Wierwill, Alexa Kaltenberg, Grant Kaltenberg, Abby (Ryan) Richardson, Jonathan (Amanda) Semrad, Brianna Kaltenberg and Tanner Kaltenberg; 15 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mary Luick; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and two sisters. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 17, 2017. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12 noon until the time of the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to the family to establish a memorial with the Madison Fire Department. The family is deeply grateful and would like to thank St. Mary’s MICU staff for providing our father dignity during his final days. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Events
Visitation
Sat Jun 17, 2017 @ 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Sat Jun 17, 2017 @ 2:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Arthur have been shared yet.
Memories
JW
Judy (Acker) Weitzel
Other •
The world has lost a very special person. Our families have been friends for many years. Although we have not seen each other for a long time, the thing I remember most about Art was the smiles and laughter he brought into our lives. God bless the Kaltenberg
MK
Mary Kay Kirsner
Other •
Dear Charlene and family,
I want to express my condolences on your loss. I remember Art as a good friend of my Dad, Glenn Wilcox and both of you as great friends of my parents. I have forgotten if Art and my Mother, Betty were also distantly related as her grandmother was Katherine Kaltenberg who married Gerhart Dresen. Their daughter Rose was my Mom's mother. She married Frank Warnish.
It's sad to see this generation of brave firefighters pass on. I know the sense of family my Dad had with his fellow firefighters.
May he rest in peace.
God bless,
Mary Kay (Wilcox) Kirsner