Obit: Hediger, Kurt Fred #2 (1934 - 2007)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hediger, Harder, Thoma, Holmes, Dickerson, Quintanilla, Opelt, Schroeder, Knoop, Patey, Dux

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, WI.) October 24, 2007

Hediger, Kurt Fred (August 9, 1934 - October 17, 2007)

Kurt Hediger, age 73, of Neillsville, died Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at his home after a 10 month battle with cancer.

Kurt Fred Hediger was born on August 9, 1934 in Neillsville, son of Herman and Hanna (Harder) Hediger. He graduated from Neillsville High School in 1953. He was honorably discharged from the U. S. Air Force in April 1956. He married Arlene Thoma on January 31, 1959 in new Hampton, IA. After marriage, Kurt and Arlene built their home near the Black River between Christie and Globe.

Kurt worked for his father at Hediger Dairy in Christie from a young age until 1970 as a butter/cheese maker. After the sale of Hediger Dairy, Kurt continued to work at Bledsoe’s Dairy until 1972. He painted water towers for one year, and worked at Cenex as a gas hauler from 1974 through 1989, when he retired.

Kurt logged his land, grew and sold Christmas trees until 2007. He loved his land, nature, hunting, fishing, playing cards, and watching Packer and Badger football.

Kurt was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, the American Legion, and the Men’s Club.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene; three children, mark Hediger, of Eau Claire; Mary (J.D.) Holmes, of Eau Claire; and Mitch (Jody) Hediger, of Marion, IA; five grandchildren, Andre Dickerson, of Ogden, UT; Nicholas Dickerson, of Owatonna, MN; Christopher Dickerson, of Milwaukee; Benjamin and Jessica Hediger, of Marion, IA; a step-grand-daughter, Jeanette (Jeremy) Quintanilla; and three step-great-grandchildren, Christopher, Makenzie and Caleigh, all of Del Rio, TX; three sisters, Hanna (Bernie) Opelt, of Neillsville; Margaret (Art) Schroeder, of Corvallis, MT; and Rosie (Robert) Knoop, of Neillsville; and Fritz (Dixie) Hediger, of Neillsville; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a niece, Marie and his parents.

Funeral services for Kurt were held Saturday, October 20, 2007 at the Immanuel Evangelical Church in Globe, WI. Pastor Daniel Cole officiated. Music was provided by Karen Hoppa, organist, Nicholas Dickerson, Daniel and Bunny Dux vocalists. Interment was in the Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery with Military Rites accorded by the Neillsville Veterans Council.

Casket bearers were: Andre Dickerson, Nicholas Dickerson, Christopher Dickerson, Steve Knoop, John Patey and David Dux.

The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Kurt’s family with funeral arrangements.