Melvin E. Karau, Mel

Melvin (Mel) E. Karau, a long-time community member of LaBelle, Florida went to his eternal rest on December 6, 2024, he was ninety-one years old. Mel was born on August 10, 1933 in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He graduated from Spencer High School and received a BS degree with a double major in Biology and Conservation from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point; and a Master of Business Administration from Roosevelt University, Chicago. Mel proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, Fifth Army Medical Laboratory, spending most of his service time at the 5th Army Area Medical Laboratory in St. Louis, Missouri. After Mel was honorably discharged from the Army Medical Corp, he married Mary (Cam) E. Campbell on November 9, 1957, and they had three daughters, Kristi, Karen, and Karmin. In 2000, Mel married Roselle Barnstable, and together they enjoyed traveling the world and spending time with family and friends between LaBelle and the cherished cabin on Lake Towanda in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin.

Mel worked with pharmacists during his time in the military and this was the inspiration that led him to begin his career in healthcare, joining Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, in 1957. In his second year at the company, he was promoted to manager of the Allergen Products Department. In 1965, Mel was offered a position at Ross Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio. He was responsible for managing allergen extract products and was instrumental in the development of Rondec DSC, the first oral decongestant.  In 1969, he was the director of Pediatric Pharmaceuticals and developed the marketing strategy for a new prenatal vitamin line that included Pramet and Pramilets. Mel also wrote the first marketing proposal for a product later introduced as Ensure. He assumed increasing responsibilities, and in 1975, he was promoted to Manager, Pharmaceutical Pricing at Abbott’s headquarters in North Chicago. He retired from his position as Marketing Promotional Manager in 1990 after 33 years of service.

Mel was an active member of Rotary Districts 6960 and 6220. He received the Paul Harris Fellow award from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and was named Rotarian of the Year in 2003. He served as President of the LaBelle Rotary Club in 2005, and then Secretary of the club. He was also Chairman of the Rotary Centennial Park, LaBelle, FL. In addition to working on International Water Projects, one of Mel’s favorite activities was volunteering at the World Famous LaBelle Rotary Armadillo Races that were held annually as part of the Swamp Cabbage Festival. From helping to catch the armadillos in the wild, to working the booth at the festival, Mel knew that his work supported his values of fellowship, integrity, and leadership. He also spearheaded the LaBelle Rotary effort in assuming management of the LaBelle Nature Park during the Rotary Centennial year. Along with fellow Rotarians, he initiated a project to restore a 10-acre repository of native flora and habitats that borders the Caloosahatchee River in LaBelle. It gave him great satisfaction watching all of the students and community touring the park, especially on Arbor Day. Mel received the President’s Commendation for leadership in support of wildlife habitat conservation from the Quail Forever Habitat Organization. Mel was very active in civic and not-for-profit organizations. He served as a Florida Delegate at the Republican National Conventions in New York and Minnesota. In 2013, he was appointed by the Governor of Florida, Rick Scott, to be a member of the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, Region Nine. In addition, he served on the Boards of the Hendry-Glades Audubon Society, the Heritage Museum, Impact, and the Caloosa  Humane Society. Mel was listed in Who’s Who in America, a biographical dictionary that provides information about prominent living persons in the United States.

He was a former member of St Mary’s Lutheran Church, Kenosha, WI; attended Peace Lutheran Church, Arbor Vitae, WI; and was a member of Christ The King Lutheran Church, LaBelle, where over the years he served as President of the Church Council, and led a capital campaign to expand the church with a much-needed Fellowship Hall.  

Mel was a devoted father and grandfather who loved baking, fishing, and hunting in Florida and the Northwoods of Wisconsin with family and friends. Mel never met a stranger—he was a bright light in his family and community. It was common to find Mel wandering a flea market, always smiling and making new friends along the way. Overflowing with kindness, Mel touched the lives of everyone around him. 

Mel is survived by his wife, Roselle (Barnstable) Karau; daughters, Kristi (Michael) Monahan; Karen (John) Schmitz; Karmin Maritato; grandchildren, David (Erica Dana) Hunt; Chris Schmitz, Thomas (Lindsey) Schmitz, Alan Schmitz (Bobby Showah); Miranda (Sean McNamara) Maritato, Jessica Monahan, Madeline Maritato; great-grandchildren, Heaven (Brittany) Hunt, Hayes Hunt, Cashton, Paxten, and Gemma Hunt; great-grandchildren, Laila, Kinsley, and Carson Schmitz; great-great-grandchildren, Easton and Lennon Hunt; many nieces and nephews who loved their “Uncle Mel” and numerous cousins in Wisconsin and Germany. Mel is further survived by his brother and best friend, Robert (Carol) Karau; sister-in-law, Nancy Karau; brother-in-law, Jim Barnstable, and nieces, Amy Barnstable, and Erica (Sean) Stubbendick; the mother of his children, Cam Martin; wonderful neighbors, Rick and Colleen Scholl, and a vast circle of caring friends at Abbott and in his community.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Marion (Dietche) Karau; his brothers, Elmer (and Charlene) Karau, James Karau; and sister Helen (and Ron) Huber.

A funeral service will be held at Christ The King Lutheran Church, LaBelle, FL on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 11:00 am, with visitation at the church beginning at 9:30 am.  Military rites will be performed by American Legion Post 130 LaBelle at the church. A luncheon will follow immediately at The Launch, 303 Old County Road 78, LaBelle, FL.  A Celebration of Life Gathering and lunch will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 10:00 am at the Minocqua Park Complex, Minocqua, WI. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Woodruff, Wisconsin.  Memorial donations to support the Nature Park may be made through the Rotary Club of LaBelle Foundation, P.O. Box 3043, LaBelle, FL 33975.