Walter Wetzel

Walter E. Wetzel, 88, Neillsville, passed away at his home on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, after a battle with cancer. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., on Saturday, March 19, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville.

Walter Emil Wetzel was born on Feb. 22, 1934, to Emil and Meta Wetzel, in the township of Pine Valley. Walter attended St. John’s Lutheran School and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1953. After graduation, Walter bought a canned milk route he owned for many years and in the spring of 1959 he purchased his farm north of Neillsville, which is now owned and operated by his son, Jim. In September 1959, Walter was united in marriage to Joyce Neeb and together they had five children. Throughout the years Walter enjoyed many card and dice games with friends. He enjoyed many hunting trips out west deer and bird hunting with family and close friends. Walter enjoyed many Wisconsin deer seasons also. A project Walter looked forward to every year was helping his grandkids, nieces and nephews raise their fair pigs. Walter represented the Neillsville schools and community for many years. Walter served on the Neillsville Board of Education for 30 years and was selected as the board president for many of those years. During those years, he continually supported new opportunities for students, and the maintenance and upgrading of all school facilities. Walter also represented the Neillsville area on the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CTVC) board for several terms. He was instrumental in getting a CVTC campus building located in Neillsville. That campus building has helped serve adults and youth in the Neillsville area with numerous educational opportunities for years. Walter represented Neillsville at the regional and state levels as well as serving on the Cooperative Service Educational Agency 10 (CESA 10) Board of Control, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Board of Control, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) Board of Control and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Boundaries Appeal Board. All of these organizations represent the best interest of children and communities. Walter was proud to have the opportunity to be a voice for the Neillsville children and community while being a representative with each of those associations.

Walter is survived by his wife, Joyce; three sons: Bob (Caroline) Wetzel, Jim Wetzel and Kenny (Debbie) Wetzel, and a daughter, Lynn (Jamie) Harris, all of Neillsville; eight grandchildren: Bradley (Laura) Wetzel of Livingston, Christopher Wetzel of Neillsville, Jammie (Kyle) Ley of Madison, Alyssa (Josh) Rothe of Oshkosh, Matthew Wetzel of Oklahoma, Ashley (Adam) Davel of Neillsville, Alex (Aly Dach) Harris of Neillsville, and Michael Harris of Neillsville; 20 great-grandchildren; a brother, Raymond (Sharon) Wetzel of Neillsville; a sister, Karen (Kenny) Mohr of Neillsville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Walter was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Jean; his parents; a grandson, Jacob; and two sisters and their husbands: Hazel (Cliff) Roehl and Florence (Leo) Wiesner.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Walter’s family.

PAID OBITUARY 117702