Obit: Petznick, Wilfred Walter Otto (1935 - 2006)

Contact:  Lani Bartelt

Surnames: Petznick, Schreiber, Freimund, Schmidt, Schaefer, Kulawinski, Seliger, Stuttgen, Fleegel

----Sources: Abbotsford Phonograph- Tribune Newspaper (July 26,2006)

Petznick, Wilfred Walter Otto (May 16,1935 - July 24, 2006)

Wilfred Walter Otto Petznick, 71, Stetsonville, died Monday, July 24, 2006, at Colonial Center of Colby where he had resided since June while under hospice care.

Wilfred was born May 16, 1935, in Hamburg, the son of Walter and Hilda (Wendt) Petznick. He attended schools in Hamburg, Wausau and Athens. He also completed the Farm Training Program from North Central Technical Institute.

After a life changing car accident in 1954, he courted then married Carol June Erdman on July 3, 1955.

In 1957, Wilfred and Carol bought a farm in the township of Halsey where they farmed for 43 years. They expanded their farm when they purchased their first registered Holsteins and formed MDS Acres.

Wilfred and Carol received numerous farm awards though the years including: 1970 Outstanding Young Farmer, host of the first Wisconsin Forage Council Field Day in Marathon County, Wisconsin Forage Pacesetter Award, Host of the Marathon County Holstein Breeders Twilight Meeting, Northern Division Quality Milk Award, Central Area Council Quality Milk Award, and Marathon County Holstein Breeders Distinguished Senior Recognition.

Wilfred served on Marathon County Farm Bureau, Athens Cooperative Board, Marathon County Holstein Breeders and other boards.

He enjoyed card playing, deer hunting and time spent with all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Carol, Stetsonville; his nine children, Margean Schreiber, Wausau, Dorean (Danny) Freimund, Milan, Donna (James) Schmidt, Colby, Debra (Michael) Schaefer, Gilman, Denise (Scott) Kulawinski, Birnamwood, Daryl (Tina) Petznick, Stetsonville, Darvin Petznick, Colby, Marlin Petznick, Stetsonville, and Sandra (Michael) Seliger, Hamburg; and two brothers, Vilas (Jerrilyn) Petznick, Maryville, Mo., and Wesley (Pat) Petznick of Fort Calhoun, Neb.

He is also survived by 22 grandchildren, Gabriel Schreiber, Dawn, Diane and Dee Freimund, Jennifer (Paul) Stuttgen and Jill Schmidt, Anne (Dave) Fleegel, Patricia, Crystal, Michaela and David Schaefer, Kimberly and Kristen Kulawinski, Dominique, Benjamin and Brice Petznick, Emmalee, Elizabeth and Erika Petznick, Troy Petznick, Paige and Miki Seliger and four great-grandchildren, Colin Stuttgen, Alexis and Hannah Fleegel, and Nakeita Petznick. He also has numerous nieces and nephews.

His parents; two brothers, Wayne and Verlon Petznick; and a grandson, Nicolas Petznick, preceded Wilfred in death.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 29, 2006, at Christ United Church of Christ, Athens, with visitation an hour prior to service.

Burial will be at the Athens Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, July 28, 2006, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson-Kraemer Funeral Home in Athens.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Wilfred's name.