Obit: Selz, John Patrick #2 (1935 - 2013)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Selz, Bergmann, Kizewski, Pralle, Strauss, Vertnik, Zimmerman, Harmon, Payne, Guarascio

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 10/09/2013

Selz, John Patrick (8 February 1935 - 4 October 2013)

John Patrick Selz, 78, joined God’s Heavenly Kingdom Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, at the House of the Dove Hospice in Marshfield.

John was born Feb. 8, 1935, to Herman Selz and Justina (Bergmann) Selz of rural Humbird. He was 10th of 12 children. After graduation from Fairchild High School, John attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical engineering. He worked briefly for the DuPont Chemical Company in Clinton, IA, before returning home in 1959 to manage the family farm. Originally settled by descendants of the Bergmann family, the Selz farm has been in John’s family for over 125 years.

John wed his beloved wife, Marianne Kizewski Feb. 2, 1957, in Wisconsin Rapids. She was at John’s side when he died just as she has been for 56 years. Together, they raised three devoted children, Pamela (Scott) Selz-Pralle of Humbird, Michael Selz of Tempe, AZ, and Sue Strauss of Atlanta, GA. John also took great pride in his grandchildren, Ryan, Jessica and Nicole Pralle.

Throughout his life, John contributed generously to his community and especially the dairy industry. A strong advocate for progressive dairying and the Holstein industry, John served as president of both the National Holstein Association and the Wisconsin Holstein Association. He also served on the Wold Dairy Expo Board of Directors, Purebred Dairy Cattle Breeding, the U. S. Animal Health Association Board and the University- Wisconsin Board of Visitors. His incredible insight and leadership earned him many prestigious honors. A strong advocate for progressive dairying and the Holstein industry, John served as president of both the National Holstein Association and the Wisconsin Holstein Association. He also served on the Wold Dairy Expo Board of Directors, Purebred Dairy Cattle Breeding, the U. S. Animal Health Association Board and the University- Wisconsin Board of Visitors. His incredible insight and leadership earned him many prestigious honors, including the Wisconsin Holstein Distinguished Breeder Award, World Dairy Expo Dairyman of the Year, Wisconsin Agriculturalist Award, the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences Award of Distinction, and the UW-River Falls Top Agriculturalist Award. Though, his proudest accomplishment was breeding and developing a high-type and high-production herd of Joliam Holsteins. John loved talking about cows and crop farming, even during his waning days of life on earth.

John was also devoted to his community and proud of the rich history of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church-Fairview of which he had served on the parish Council and on the Cemetery Board. He was an active 4-H leader and also served on the Osseo-Fairchild School Board, Mid-Wisconsin Bank Board, Advisory Council to then Representative Steve Gunderson, DVTC and many other civic organizations.

John will be remembered for his insightful intelligence, progressive foresight, dry sense of humor and his commitment to family, community, agriculture and the Holstein industry. He has left an indelible footprint on the hearts and minds of many, especially his children and grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife, his afore mentioned children and grandchildren and his siblings, Germaine (Leonard) Vertnik, Joseph (Janet) Selz and Edward (Frances) Selz.

John was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Agnes (Gordon) Zimmerman, Philomene (Maurice) Harmon, Eileen (Edward) Payne, Sr., Clarita Selz - OSB, and Margarete Guarascio; and brothers, Herman (Lillian) Selz, Werner (Betty) Selz and William (Adelia) Selz.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church-Fairview. Visitation will be held at the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again Saturday at 10 a.m. until the services. A prayer vigil will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to establish a memorial scholarship in honor of John with the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Foundation. John was the first chairman of the Wisconsin Holstein Junior Activities Committee and a longtime advocate of developing Wisconsin’s Holstein youth.

Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com.