Melvin A. Bourgeois

Melvin Anthony Bourgeois of Mishicot, passed away at home Tuesday morning, January 31, 2023 at the age of 91.

He was born August 13, 1931 at the family home in Red River Township, Kewaunee County, Wisconsin to Joseph Anthony Bourgeois and Mary Josie (Boucher) Bourgeois.

He graduated from Luxemburg High School in 1949. Melvin served in the US Coast Guard from 1950 to 1953. He graduated from the Door Kewaunee Teacher’s College in 1957 and UW Oshkosh in 1963. He first taught at the Fairland State Graded School in Door County and spent the rest of his teaching career at Mishicot Schools.

Melvin married Rosalyn Wolter December 26, 1957. The couple has four children: Thomas (Karen) Bourgeois, of St. Cloud, Florida, Susan (Kim) Hamilton, Ramsey, Minnesota, David Bourgeois (Lukas Bagamehl), Sheboygan, and Mary (Melissa) Dupke-Bourgeois, Park Falls.

In addition to teaching elementary grades, Melvin served as manager for Mishicot Housing Corp., member of the regional Catholic Social Services advisory committee, member of the ADRC advisory committee for Manitowoc County and also the State advisory committee of the ADRC. He delivered Meals on Wheels in the rural area of Manitowoc County for 29 years. Melvin was a member of Holy Cross Parish in Mishicot where he served as trustee and member of various committees. He sang with the parish choir, and the Ecumenical Men’s Choir of Two Rivers. Melvin and Rosalyn were volunteer gardeners for the Mariner’s Trail between Two Rivers and Manitowoc, Wisconsin for many years.

Melvin is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rosalyn; one sister, Arlene Molzahn, three children, 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Hamilton; parents, Joseph and Josie Bourgeois; his sister, Germaine Knapmiller, and his twin brother, Marvin Bourgeois.

Visitation will be held at the Lambert-Eckert Funeral Home, 344 So. State St., Mishicot, Sunday afternoon, Feb. 5 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m., with a closing prayer service at 4:00 p.m. led by Deacon Mike Valenta.

Visitation will continue Monday morning at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 423 So. Main St. Mishicot after 9:00 a.m. until the time of mass at 11:00 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Christian Raj. Military honors will be accorded at the church immediately following the funeral mass by members of VFW Post #7753 of Mishicot. Entombment will take place at Calvary Chapel Mausoleum, Manitowoc.

The funeral service will be live-streamed on the parishes YouTube Channel: St Anne and Holy Cross Catholic Parishes beginning at 10:45 a.m.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com.

In lieu of flowers, it is Melvin’s wish that memorials be made to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, 4047 Chapel Drive, New Frankin, WI 54229; or the Mariner’s Trail, PO Box 2341, Manitowoc, WI 54221-2341.

The Lambert-Eckert Funeral Home of Mishicot is assisting the Bourgeois family with funeral arrangements.

Melvin's family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful caregivers of Homecare Health Services & Hospice for their kindness & compassionate care.