John L. Malchine Dead at 71

By Joan Sanstadt, News Editor
Thursday, March 22, 2007 1:25 PM CDT

Little did the people who attended the March 13 Ag Leaders Breakfast know, but this was probably their last opportunity to talk with John Malchine, Norway Town Chair, ag leader and businessman.

Just before the breakfast began, Malchine was standing out in the hall talking about his favorite subject - ethanol. His enthusiasm for ethanol and biofuel production was legendary. Last Tuesday he was remarking about how Badger State Ethanol in Monroe was planning to get even more value out of every corn kernel that came through its facility.

Just as he did at every legislative hearing and at every meeting of the board of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), where he served many years as chair, Malchine meant every word he uttered.

A week earlier at the March 5 Assembly Biofuels and Sustainable Energy Committee meeting Malchine was overheard reflecting on his time on the DATCP board and about how much he had enjoyed it - and still missed it.

DATCP Secretary Rod Nilsestuen had a few thoughts about Malchine to share with Agri-View readers.

"The news of his death was a shocker," Nilsestuen said. "I've known John for quite some time but most closely during my last four years here (as DATCP secretary).

"John was that rare combination of visionary and also a practical can-do, get-it-done person. He was among the first to understand the great potential of the development of the bio-industry and ethanol and what this would mean for Wisconsin farmers and rural Wisconsin.

"John Malchine did more than almost anyone in terms of moving us forward in that area, both by his strong public leadership, as well as being the driving force behind the establishment of the Badger State Ethanol plant in Monroe. He was both a public leader and a business leader," Nilsestuen continued.

"In addition to the very significant contributions John made to Wisconsin agriculture, he was an ideal spokesman for renewables and ethanol and for bio-development because of his leadership qualities and his proven stature.

"John was a regular visitor here in my office and I really valued him as an advisor and someone who really understood what needed to be done to get us into the next generation of biodevelopment," Nilsestuen said.

Mike Dummer, the current chair of the DATCP Board, served on that board when Malchine was chair. Both were appointees from former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson.

"John was certainly one of the teachers and leaders that I looked up to," Dummer told Agri-View. "He always had good and positive information and he was always willing to stop and take time and explain - even when he might have had 100 other things going on.

"He was willing to help you learn and he did it with a smile. He was like a second father and I will forever appreciate the patience he took to teach me things that I had questions about," Dummer said.

"What I will always remember is his commitment and enthusiasm - he did what he believed in and his mind and heart carved out his path and direction. He charged down that path - he didn't just walk," Dummer recalled.

"People would be well advised to follow John's path. As a businessman he was a pioneer. He was also very, very astute as a business person - and he was a great human being," Dummer said.

Ben Brancel, who now directs the Farm Service Agency in Wisconsin, was DATCP Secretary during much of the time Malchine served as DATCP board chair. "John had a tremendous impact on Wisconsin agriculture, both as a leader and as a good friend to many. It is difficult to put in words what we have lost with his passing. His friends will miss him so much," Brancel said.

Another tribute came from Erwin A. "Bud" Sholts, who directed the Agricultural Development and Diversification (ADD) Program at DATCP during Malchine's time on the board.

"He was Mr. Ethanol for Wisconsin," Sholts said. "He was always driving for agriculture."

Bill Bruins, president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF), called Malchine "a tireless advocate and respected leader for agriculture. John has represented agriculture well in his community and in the state through his involvement with local boards and state legislative committees.

"John leaves an astounding legacy for agriculture having served as chair of the DATCP Board, and also on the Wisconsin Tax Commission for Use Value Assessment which oversaw the formation of the use value assessment of farmland law. John has also been key in getting the ethanol industry started in the state.

"Agriculture in Wisconsin is better off because of John, but agriculture will miss his leadership," Bruins said.

John Malchine, 71, died at home on March 18, 2007.

At the time of his death he was in his second tenure as chairman of the Town of Norway, having been appointed in 2003 to fill a vacancy. He had also served as town chair in the late 1980s and early 1990s. At the time of his death, he was seeking re-election to that post.

In addition to his work as town chair, Malchine had served the town many more years as a town supervisor, a member of the Planning Commission and as a member and chair of the Police Commission.

He served a total of 28 years on two western Racine County school districts - North Cape Elementary and Waterford Union High School. He also served on the Wind Lake Management District.

Besides his service on the DATCP Board, Malchine was active in state and county politics. He served one term in the State Legislature and was active in WFBF. In 2000 WFBF awarded him its highest honor - the Distinguished Service to Agriculture award.

Malchine and his family ran one of Racine County's largest farming operations, located just off Highway 36. He was a strong advocate of technological advance in agriculture and was an officer and co-founder of Badger State Ethanol in Monroe.

John was born to John Albert and Esther Johnson Malchine on Jan. 28, 1936. He was a lifelong resident and farmer in the Town of Norway. He graduated in 1954 from the Rochester Agriculture School.

In June of 1957 John married Doris Williams at Norway Hill Church in Wind Lake. A lifelong member of Norway Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wind Lake, John served the church in many positions.

He is survived by Doris, his wife of 49 years, two sons John and Kevin who live on the family's farms and six grandchildren.

He is further survived by two sisters, Joan (Ed) Ritter of Whitewater and Donna Hanson of the Town of Norway, one sister-in-law Edra (Norman) Uecker of Waterford, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was proceeded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law Duke Hanson.

Services for Malchine will be held at the Norway Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6321 Heg Park Road, Wind Lake, WI 53185 with Rev. Dennis Napton officiating.

Visitation will be in the church from 4 to 8 p.m. on March 22 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 23. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on March 23.

Arrangements are being handled by Mealy Funeral Home, Waterford, 262-534-2233. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Norway Evangelical Lutheran Church.

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