It's Official: We've Got Curb Appeal!
Coveted South Milwaukee Beautification Award goes to Molthen-Bell
We're pleased to announce that earlier this week, Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home
was singled out for a South Milwaukee Curb Appeal Award.
The 100-year-old funeral service provider has been a cornerstone of steady support in the South Milwaukee community, helping families and demonstrating civic good will as well.
The 100-year-old funeral service provider has been a cornerstone of steady support in the South Milwaukee community, helping families and demonstrating civic good will as well.
The awards are presented annually to South Milwaukee businesses, homeowners and civic organizations who devote extra effort to their property’s beautification, through landscaping and other street-facing efforts.
"At first we were a bit surprised by the announcement," Colette Maass, the office manager at Molthen-Bell, admitted. "We've made a real commitment to South Milwaukee, we love it here. However, it's not every day you win an award for doing just a little extra to make the community better." Maass went on to say that real kudos belong to JoAnn Brockman. "It is almost entirely through her effort and ideas each spring that Molthen-Bell transforms itself and its gardens into an award-winning contender," Maass said. The recipients of the Beautification Awards are selected by the Beautification Committee in early August. The awards are nomination-based, with participants being solicited using Facebook and an online form. Up to five winners receive a sign and recognition at a city council meeting or on city or mayoral digital platforms.
Other South Milwaukee businesses, civic groups and homeowners are encouraged to visit the City of South Milwaukee's Awards page to learn more about upcoming honors and participating in the initiatives. Our Mission Molthen-Bell believes we are all made stronger with the support of family and friends, that our community binds us in faith, service and understanding, and that our stories hold the promise of bringing together generations for years to come. We care. To learn more about Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home, we encourage you to browse our website or call us at (414) 762-0154.
"At first we were a bit surprised by the announcement," Colette Maass, the office manager at Molthen-Bell, admitted. "We've made a real commitment to South Milwaukee, we love it here. However, it's not every day you win an award for doing just a little extra to make the community better." Maass went on to say that real kudos belong to JoAnn Brockman. "It is almost entirely through her effort and ideas each spring that Molthen-Bell transforms itself and its gardens into an award-winning contender," Maass said. The recipients of the Beautification Awards are selected by the Beautification Committee in early August. The awards are nomination-based, with participants being solicited using Facebook and an online form. Up to five winners receive a sign and recognition at a city council meeting or on city or mayoral digital platforms.
Other South Milwaukee businesses, civic groups and homeowners are encouraged to visit the City of South Milwaukee's Awards page to learn more about upcoming honors and participating in the initiatives. Our Mission Molthen-Bell believes we are all made stronger with the support of family and friends, that our community binds us in faith, service and understanding, and that our stories hold the promise of bringing together generations for years to come. We care. To learn more about Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home, we encourage you to browse our website or call us at (414) 762-0154.

By Stacy Smith, Licensed Funeral Director
•
August 17, 2026
At Molthen-Bell Funeral Home, supporting our community means honoring the people who have dedicated their lives to serving others. This summer, we were proud to continue one of our favorite annual traditions by welcoming local veterans and their families to our fourth annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner. Approximately 30 guests joined us at the funeral home for an evening centered on good food, music, conversation and, most importantly, gratitude. An Evening Dedicated to Our Veterans Our Veterans Appreciation Dinner began four years ago with a simple purpose: to give back to the veterans, military members, and families who have sacrificed so much for our country and our communities. Each year, we have been grateful to welcome veterans and their loved ones through our doors, not during a time of loss, but for an opportunity to gather, connect and celebrate their service. Members of the Molthen-Bell team, including Nick Schilling, Lisa Comp Manley, Samantha Carlos, Israel Willingham, Amber Wallermann and Bryce Vuckovich, were honored to spend the evening with our guests and hear their stories. While this year's attendance was smaller than in previous years, likely due in part to an air quality advisory related to area fires, the evening was no less meaningful. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who was able to join us. An Unexpected Honor One moment from this year's dinner made the evening particularly special. During the event, representatives from American Legion Post 27 in South Milwaukee surprised our team by presenting Molthen-Bell Funeral Home with a plaque recognizing our support and generosity toward local veterans. We had no idea the recognition was coming, which made the moment even more meaningful. To be recognized by the very people we gathered to honor was incredibly humbling. We are deeply grateful to American Legion Post 27 for this unexpected honor and, even more so, for the opportunity to continue supporting the veterans in our community. A Tradition We Are Proud to Continue Over the past four years, the Veterans Appreciation Dinner has become much more than an annual event for our team. It is a tradition that reflects what Molthen-Bell Funeral Home believes community service should be about: showing up, building relationships, and expressing gratitude to those who have given so much. The feedback we receive each year from veterans and their families reminds us why we continue to host this gathering. Hearing that our guests feel appreciated and valued makes every moment worthwhile. We are already looking forward to welcoming our veterans and their families back next year. To all veterans, active-duty military members, and military families: thank you for your service, your sacrifices, and the example you set for our community. It is our privilege to honor you.










