Obit: Staut, Janvid "Vitko"- (1916 - 2009)

Contact" Audrey Roedl
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: Staut, Volovsek, Friedman

----Source: The Loyal TRG (Clark County, Wis.) 19 Aug. 2009

Staut, Janvid "Vitko" (15 MAR. 1916- 11 AUG. 2009)

Janvid J. "Vitko" Staut, 93, Greenwood, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, at the Clark County Health Care Center, Owen. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 18. at Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard. Celebrating the Mass of Christian Burial was the Rev. Joseph Follmar. Burial followed in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery, Willard. Pallbearers were his grandsons, Tony Staut, Tim Staut, Paul Staut, Aaron Staut, Steve Friedman and great-grandson, Mitchell Staut. Honorary pallbearers were grandsons, Greg and Andrew, currently in military service, and his granddaughters, Aimee Nething, Becky Staut, Jani Friedman, Julie Murphy and Jodi Spagna. Grand and great-grandchildren served as gift bearers.

Janvid J. Staut was born on March 15, 1916, in Letus, Slovenia. He completed his formal education in Slovenia, and served in the Yugoslav army. Arrangements were made for him to join his father in Milwaukee, in 1937, where he assisted his father in publication of the Slovenian newspaper, as well as helping broadcast the weekly Slovenian Radio Hour. He also continued his education learning a specialized skilled trade as a tool and die maker. In Milwaukee, he met Mary Francis Volovsek who also was Solvenian, from the Willard area. They married on Oct. 19, 1940, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard, and they then resided in Milwaukee where he pursued his tool ans die making trade at Hoyer Engineering. Shortly after the birth of their third child, they elected to relocate to the Willard area to raise their family while operating a dairy farm. After a number of years, while remaining at the farm residence, he elected to return to his tool and dye making trade and was employed by Presto Pressure Cooker, Eau Claire. He then took the opportunity to apply his tool and dye making skills at the Trane Company, La Crosse. Following the high school graduation of their children, they relocated to La Crosse. He was a member of the Trane Company’s 25 a "year" club. Following his retirement in 1981, they moved back to the Willard and Greenwood area.

Throughout his life he cherished his Slovenian heritage. He and his wife promoted Slovenian traditions, language, music and culture at any opportunity. They maintained close contact with many relatives in Slovenia and visited Slovenia on numerous trips. He was instrumental in making arrangements from Slovenia for a special mural of the Holy Family as well as for the current altar crucifix in Holy Family Church, Willard.

Survivors include his three children, John (Sophia) Staut, Onalaska, Victor (Mira) Staut, Eau Claire, and Mary Anne (Mike) Friedman, Denver, Colo.; 12 grandchildren; and 16 grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Mary. On Oct. 15, 2005; and an infant granddaughter, Angelica.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Willard Slovenska Druzba Club (Willard Slovenian Club)

Online condolences may be expresses at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, assisted the family with arrangements.