All remaining 2025 Wedding dates 50% off! Contact us today to book!
All remaining 2025 Wedding dates 50% off! Contact us today to book!
As of Fall 2023, the story of Foundry 45 continues in the hands of four couples who share a deep appreciation for its history and heart: Dean and Sarah Heltemes, Brian and Lisa Lunde, Tom and Ali Krueger, and Gary and Linda Gavin. Together, they carry forward the vision that began decades ago—preserving the spirit of community, celebration, and connection that has always lived within these walls.
The Foundry 45 building carries a rich history spanning more than 60 years in the heart of the Kettle Moraine. Nearly every local family has attended a celebration, shared a toast, or created a memory within these walls at some point in time. If the building could speak, its stories would echo with laughter, milestones, and moments that shaped our community. We’re honored to share a glimpse of that history with you today.
It all began in 1958, when Steve and Mary Rahn—beloved Kewaskum locals—opened the doors to Steve & Mary’s Minor Bar. The heartbeat of a small town, it quickly became more than just a place to grab a drink; it was where neighbors gathered, laughter echoed, and friendships took root.
Nine years later, their daughter Jeanie and her husband, Al Amerling, joined them behind the bar, carrying on the family spirit. In 1973, their dream grew—both in walls and in heart—as they expanded the space to include a hall. To honor both sides of the family, they blended their names and created something new: The Amerahn.
Al and Jeanie raised their four children—Scott, Stephanie, Cammie, and Craig—in the cozy living quarters above the bar. The building wasn’t just their home; it was the backdrop of childhood memories, endless stories, and family milestones. Three of the four children even celebrated their weddings right there at The Amerahn, surrounded by the very walls that watched them grow up.
For 23 years, The Amerahn remained in the family—built on love, laughter, and the kind of small-town legacy that time can’t erase.
A new chapter began on January 1, 1981, when Earl and Marie Kleinke purchased The Amerahn. The couple already knew the place well—both had spent countless evenings there as friends, regulars, and even bartenders for Steve, Mary, Al, and Jeanie. It was a space that already felt like home, and under their care, it continued to be a cornerstone of community life.
Earl balanced his days driving a school bus while Marie worked her magic as a local hairdresser, both embodying the small-town work ethic that built the heart of Kewaskum. Together, they poured their time, laughter, and love into the bar, raising their two children—Brian and Adam—in the living quarters above. Like the Rahn and Amerling families before them, the Kleinkes created memories that would last a lifetime.
In 2010, Brian officially joined his parents as a partner, marking the next generation’s role in the story. But just a year later, Earl passed away—leaving behind a legacy of warmth, community, and the spirit of hard work that defined The Amerahn for decades. Marie and Brian continued to keep that legacy alive, operating the beloved gathering place until March 26, 2021, when Seven Bridges Road purchased the property and began transforming it into what we now know as Foundry 45—a modern venue built upon generations of love, laughter, and local history.
In 2021, a new vision was born.
A motley crew of dreamers—each with their own craft, grit, and story—saw not just a building, but a legacy waiting to be revived. The walls of The Amerahn still whispered of laughter, music, and celebration, and this group knew it deserved to live on.
Together, they rolled up their sleeves and brought Foundry 45 to life. Among them were a plumber, a construction salesman, an AV expert, a designer, a diesel mechanic, a food and beverage connoisseur, and a real estate enthusiast—each lending their own spark of creativity and skill. What united them wasn’t business—it was passion. A shared dream to take a place rich with history and shape it into something extraordinary for the next generation.
Today, Foundry 45 stands as a testament to community, craftsmanship, and heart—a space built by friends, for friends, where memories continue to be forged in the spirit of those who came before.