Surnames: Vornholt, Pflughoeft, Hemp, James

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.)

MARCUS ‘FRED' VORNHOLT

Marcus ‘Fred' Vornholt, age 78, of Neillsville, died Thursday, March 25, 2004 at the Neillsville Memorial Nursing Home in Neillsville.

Fred was born on November 1, 1925 in Madison, the son of Mark and Minnie (Pflughoeft) Vornholt. They moved to Neillsville when Fred was two years old, and his mother died when he was five years old. Fred attended school in Neillsville and then began working for Fred Wall at Wall's Service Station. On June 26, 1954, he was united in marriage to Marian (Hemp) at the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Globe.

Later that year they purchased a building down by the O'Neill Creek from Curly Becker and opened Vornholt's Service Station. They operated down there until 1957 when Fred moved his business to Division Street, currently Custom Heating and Cooling and in the late 1980's he moved to 7th St. to what is currently Curves for Women. After retiring in the fall of 1995, Fred went to work, helping his family with their remodeling and building projects and he began working with his son restoring old metal farm toys.

Fred was a member of the United Church of Christ in Neillsville and was a participating member of the United Church of Christ's Men's Club. He also served as a head usher and groundskeeper.

Surviving Fred is his wife, Marian; three sons, Mark (Karen) Vornholt of Neillsville, John (Susan) Vornholt of Neillsville and Paul Vornholt of Madison; one daughter, Marie Vornholt of Altoona; four grandchildren, Marisa Stanley, Zach Vornholt, Betsy Vornholt and Matthew Vornholt, his step-mother, Grace Vornholt of Neillsville and a sister, Ruth James of North Ridge, CA. Preceding him in death, were his parents.

A Memorial service for Fred was held Tuesday, March 30th, at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville. Pastor James Mohr officiated. Organists, Deon Spangler and Eileen Zank provided the music.

Honorary casket bearers were members of the United Church of Christ's Men's club. The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Fred's family with funeral arrangements.