Philip Robert Gehlhoff, 81 of Florence, Wis. passed away Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at Florence Health Services.

He was born January 24, 1937, in Florence, Wis., son of the late Martha (McMullen) and Phil Gehlhoff Sr. Philip graduated from Florence High School in 1955 where he participated in football and basketball. He married his wife Judy Stream on June 21, 1986, in Bath, Maine. Philip worked for his uncle, Ronnie McMullen building homes and at the Niagara Paper Mill. In 1971 he began his career at Systems Control where he started as a panel builder, became lead man in the panel division and ended his career traveling across the US installing and repairing panels at many customer locations. He retired in 1999.

Philip was a proud member of the Florence Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years. He enjoyed bluegill fishing with his fly rod, walleye fishing in Canada, hunting for deer and being at camp. At one time he belonged to his “guy” camp Choctaw, his wife Judy’s camp, his son and son-in-laws camp The Swamp, and was a member of the Ponderosa Camp. Philip also built a smoker at camp and learned to smoke venison sausage that he prepared in his workshop. He taught his son and son-in-law the process and many fun hours were spent making the sausage and smoking it at camp. Philp taught himself to build fly rods and casting rods and crafted many fine rods for family members and friends.

He was a great cook who enjoyed preparing food and cocktails for many family gatherings. Philip learned to roast pigs from his dad. For 28 years, with the help of his son and son-in-law, as well as many others, he cooked the pig for Keyes Peak Summerfest raising money for Keyes Peak Ski Hill. He very much enjoyed vegetable gardening sharing his bounty with family and friends. Philip also planted a big raspberry patch which he delighted in having his grandchildren and neighborhood kids’ raid. He spent time comparing gardens and sharing tips with his friend Robin Merhalski across the alleyway.

Philip is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Judy; his son Jim (Wendy) Gehlhoff and their daughters Gina and Alicia Gehlhoff of Florence; his son-in-law Curt Jensen and his daughter Chelsea Jensen of Florence; granddaughter Julianne (Jason) Augustyn and their children Gavin, Carter, and Vienna of Appleton, Wis.; two sisters Judy VonOepen of St. Paul, Minn. and Sandy Witynski of Florence; one Aunt Hazel Gehlhoff of Florence; many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Philip was preceded in death by one son, John Gehlhoff; one daughter, Peggy Jensen; one brother-in-law, George VonOepen; one Uncle, Robert Gehlhoff Sr.; and his father-in-law Wayne Stream.

Visitation will be held Monday, November 26, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence. Funeral services will be Monday, 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Doug Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Florence, Wis.

You may light a candle in remembrance of Philip or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence, to honor Philip’s legacy of life.