Jan P. Mixdorf, age 64. From the time he successfully repaired his mother's toaster at age five, he liked to take things apart and put them together. He repaired machinery, built furniture and enjoyed home remodeling. He was creative and resourceful. He enjoyed a good cigar and a good debate, usually at the same time. But he was also comfortable with solitude. He spent time listening to the sounds of nature behind his house and watching the deer in the woods.

He was not overly demonstrative but he loved big; his heart was true and compassionate and he would do anything for the people he held close to his heart. He was proud of his beautiful wife and children and their collective and individual accomplishments.

He was an impatient man and he did not like change. He thought ATM machines were a very bad thing. He thought hand-held computing devices were overrated. He despised cell phones. Here's hoping there are pay phones in heaven. He was our husband, our father, our brother, our grandpa, our uncle, our friend.

He was Jan Patrick Mixdorf and he passed into God's hands on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Columbia St. Mary's Horizon Hospice in Mequon. Jan was born in Milwaukee on July 21, 1949 to Burnell "Vern" and Norma Mixdorf. He graduated from St. Joseph's Grade School in Grafton and Grafton High School and attended MATC in Milwaukee after High School.

He is survived by his wife Susan (nee Benter) Mixdorf, to whom he was wed on October 12, 1974 in Fredonia; his son Timothy of Madison; his daughter Stephanie (Alan) Tweedie of Denver, CO; his brothers Frederick of Grawn, MI, Edward (Ruth) of Grafton and Dennis of Grafton; his sister Jean (John) Banks of Springfield, IL; his granddaughters Ava and Cora Tweedie; his brothers-in-law Robert (Alison) Benter of New Fane and Steven Benter of Fredonia and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1969-1975 as a Machinist Mate Second Class. He retired from Harley Davidson in Menomonee Falls in 2013 after 13 years of service as a journeyman machine repairman. He previously worked at Master Lock in Milwaukee.

He was preceded in death by his parents Burnell "Vern" and Norma Mixdorf, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Lucille and Robert Benter.

The Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 from 4:00 PM until 5:45 PM at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 W Paradise Drive, West Bend, WI 53095). The Memorial Service will take place at the funeral home on Wednesday, June 4th at 6:00 PM with Fr. Richard Stoffel presiding.