Melvin B. Sensenbrenner

MADISON - Melvin Bernard “Mel” Sensenbrenner, age 89, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital after a brief illness.

Mel was born at home in Rhinelander, Wis., on May 27, 1933, to Bernard and Gladys Sensenbrenner. He graduated from Rhinelander High School where he lettered in basketball. Mel went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he met and married the mother of his children, Kathryn (nee Caylor) Sensenbrenner.  He graduated in 1956 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Mel was a member of the Air Force ROTC and captain of the rifle division where he received several marksmanship awards.   

After graduation, Mel was accepted into the U. S. Air Force Pilot training program. Despite successful completion of his training, he decided to return to Wisconsin and utilize his Engineering degree, due in part to the needs of his growing family. Mel settled in Madison - the city he loved. He continued with the armed services, joining the Air National Guard at Truax field, and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  He retired from the Air National Guard in June of 1983.  

Mel spent his entire professional engineering career with the State of Wisconsin, first with the Division of Highway and following with the Department of Health.  Due to the rapid expansion of the Madison area in the 1960s, his division was charged with designing the many bridges and interchanges that are still in use today. In the 1970s, he designed the Wheelchair accessible fishing piers in place on the lakes and rivers in the Madison area.  With the Department of Health, Mel surveyed hospitals and nursing homes to assess safety and compliance with building codes.  He retired from the State of Wisconsin in 1992.   

Mel was equally busy with his leisure activities.  He enjoyed everything Wisconsin and the outdoors had to offer - hunting, fly fishing, ice fishing, camping, traveling, Badgers sports, and Packers football.  He taught his children how to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors. He also enjoyed country music, cooking and was an avid winemaker.  In retirement, he traveled throughout the United States and Canada and enjoyed his favorite activities with his fiancée and love of his life, Billy Seiberlich.    

Mel had a strong work ethic and kept himself busy with work, service to country, church, family, tinkering and fixing things. After retiring, he continued his service to others, volunteering his time and talents to various organizations.  

The lessons of hard work, determination and service to country and others are instilled in his children as is his talent for cooking and tinkering.  When his children asked for help with a project or needed something repaired, Mel came right away with the tools and supplies needed and would teach them how to do it, step-by-step, no matter how long it took.   

Mel was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lee; sisters, Rita Schaerli and Carolyn Paremski; infant granddaughter, Melanie Ann Sensenbrenner; his former wife, Kathryn (nee Caylor) Sensenbrenner; brothers-in-law; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  

Mel is survived by his children, Matthew (Kari) Sensenbrenner, Elizabeth, Peter (Deb) Sensenbrenner, James (Terri) Sensenbrenner, Mary Kate (Michael) Holzum, Kristin (Todd) Ovadal and Thad Sensenbrenner; Melvin’s  fiancée, Billy Sieberlich and her children, Sandee (Matt Hood) and Brett Seiberlich (Nicole); grandchildren, Lindsay Sensenbrenner, Brianne Smith, Jillian Sensenbrenner, Sarah and James Sensenbrenner, Nicole (John) Elliott, Michael (Lauren) and Joseph Holzum, Erin and Alexander Ovadal, and Patrick and Thomas Sensenbrenner; and great-grandchildren, Hayden, Hadley and Savannah.

His children would like to express our love and gratitude to Billy for her love and amazing care of Dad as his memory faded. He was able to live at home much longer because of it.   Special thanks to the staff at Heritage Memory Care Monona for their care of Mel over the past 20 months.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Burial will follow with Military Honors being conducted at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday.

Memorials may be made to Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Fund, or you may donate to a church of your choice for a Mass to be said in Melvin’s name. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

  5203 Monona Dr.

(608) 221-5420