“I came, I saw, I was richly blessed.”
“People will forget what you said and did, but not how you made them feel.”
Alan Keith Malm, age 93, of Merrill, passed away on Monday, January 1, 2018, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, surrounded by his loving family. Happy Heavenly Homecoming Day and Happy Earthly New Year!
Alan was born June 17, 1924, in Phillips, Wisconsin, son of the late Leda (Otto) Malm and Ben Werner Malm. He married Marie Semling on June 30, 1951. She survives. Alan graduated from Phillips High School in 1941. He attended Price County Normal School studying Teacher Education. Alan enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and served in the Asiatic Pacific as a Certified Control Tower Operator from 1942-1945. Alan then attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, graduating in 1949 with a degree in Secondary Education/Social Studies. He was employed by the Merrill Public Schools as a Social Studies teacher and Forensics coach from 1949-1951.
Alan began working for the Semling-Menke Company, Merrill (now known as SEMCO Windows & Doors) in 1951 as Production Manager. His career at SEMCO spanned 54 years and also included responsibilities as Vice President of Manufacturing and Director of Special Projects. He also served as an officer and member of the Board of Directors of SEMCO and Development & Leasing Corporation.
Alan was a board member and president of the National Fir and Hemlock Door Association. He was a former Jaycee in Merrill, having served as president and national director. Alan was a member of the Catholic Diocese of Superior School Board. He served on the UWSP Foundation Board of Directors from 1990-1999. Alan was a member of the Board of Advisors at Treehaven from 1990 – 2013. Locally, he served on the Board of Directors at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill, during the 1990’s, and was a former secretary/treasurer of the board. Alan was a member of the Founders Group of the Great Speakers Forum, and was a Eucharistic Minister of Communion for St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Alan’s favorite haunts were the Semling family cottage and the A-Frame on Tug Lake, where he soaked up the sun and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with family and friends.
Other than his wife Marie, Alan is survived by his children, Jeanne (Craig) Nienow, Merrill, Christopher Malm, Merrill, Gregory Malm, Merrill, Mary (James) Litschauer, Merrill, Peter (JoAnn) Malm, Greenfield, IN, Jonathan Malm, Merrill, Virginia Loew, Eau Claire, Therese (James) Janachione, Gilberts, IL, Eric (Lori) Malm, Merrill, and Kathleen (Craig) Arritola, Fox Lake, IL; his grandchildren, Noelle (Raja) Soi, Zachary (Adrienne) Nienow, Claire (Rob) Kitson, Andrew (Angie)Malm, Adam Malm (Melanie Dubnicka), Kathryn Malm (Jamie Lewis), Keith Malm, Patrick Malm, Sherry Cummins, Bryce, Anna, and Mae Litschauer, PJ (Julia) Malm, Cora (Jon) Wolfarth, Maria Malm, Alex (Noriko) Malm, Charlie Malm (Scott Malinowski), Nick (Nina) Malm, Allison (Mitch) Smith, Emily (Dan) Backes, Megan and Sarah Loew, Michael (Torie) Janachione, Kara Janachione (Sam Childs), and Brittany and Austin Malm; his great-grandchildren, Ilina and John-Paul Soi, Collins Nienow, Madison and Taylor Malm, Connor Malm, McKenzie Cummins, Emma Cummins, Jackson and Stella Malm, Harrison Wolfarth, Penelope Malm, Elijah Smith and Alan Backes; sister-in-law, Faye Semling; his AFS family in Portugal; and many nieces and nephews. Alan was preceded in death by his parents; son, Vance ‘Benji’ Malm; sister, Jeanette Malm; brother, Robert (Elizabeth) Malm; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marion (Noke) Lillicrist, Donald (June) Semling, Virginia (James) Harding and John Reynolds and Jack Semling.
Alan was known for the many thank you notes he wrote to people. His family would like to follow suit and thank his doctors, caregivers, Pine Crest staff, and Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice for their dedication and compassion.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers and plants, memorials be sent to St. Francis Xavier Church, Bell Tower Residence, Riverbend Trail, or Treehaven.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Friday, January 5, 2018 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill. Father Chris Kemp will preside. Burial will take place at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Merrill, with graveside military rites conducted by Merrill V.F.W. Post 1638 Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com