Obit: Wilsmann, Robert G. Sr. (1928 - 2011)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org  

Surnames: Wilsmann, Heibel, Decorah, Ciezki, Lang, Opelt, Holt, Melde, Bartelson, Marescalco, Schwan, Oreskovich, Harnish

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 09/10/2011

Wilsmann, Robert G. Sr. (13 SEP 1928 - 8 SEP 2011)

Robert Gerald Wilsmann Sr., 82, of Neillsville, died Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011 at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, following heart surgery.

Robert was born Sept. 13, 1928 in Milwaukee, to William H. Wilsmann Sr. and Minnie (Heibel) Wilsmann. He was raised in Two Rivers and then moved with his family to Neillsville in 1938. 

He attended the Lutheran Grade School and the Neillsville High School. He entered the Army in 1950 and received an honorable discharge in 1952 as a Corporal. He worked at the Nasonville Cheese Factory, the former Coast-to-Coast Store, the Neillsville Co-op Transport as a semi-driver until 1982, then completed his work career at Roehl Transport as a dispatcher, retiring in 1998.

Robert was married to the former Elizabeth Holt at Neillsville. 

Robert was a member of the United Church of Christ. He enjoyed traveling out west, sports, hunting and especially his family. Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth, one daughter, Barbara Ann Wilsmann of Neillsville, one son, Robert James (Sharon) Wilsmann Jr. of Neillsville; six grandchildren, Emmalee, Calli and Tye (Sarah) Decorah, Rebecca Lynn (Jeffrey) Ciezki, Timothy James (Terrie) Wilsmann and Stephanie Nicole Wilsmann; eight great- grandchildren, twins, Landon Robert and Logan Bradley Ciezki, Kahlea Decorah, Kaelyn Lang and Bailee Ciezki, Tanner, Taylor and Tori Opelt; one brother, William H. Wilsmann of Marshfield. William's children, Patsy, Bonnie, Wendy, Michael, David and Larry. One brother-in-law, James E. Holt of Black River Falls, one sister-in-law, Dixie Holt of Spencer; five nieces, Sherry (Tom Harnish) Holt, Shelley (Gary) Holt Melde, Amy Holt Bartelson, who was also Robert's Godchild, Sharon (James) Marescalco, Sandra (John) Schwan, one nephew, Stacy Holt, four great-nephews, Brandon Oreskovich, Daniel Bartelson, Luke Schwan and Todd Marescalco and three great- nieces, Lisa (Gregg) Ovsak, Leah Simplot and Autumn Bartelson.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Evelyn Wachholz and husband Armond Wachholz, two sisters-in-law, Lucille Wilsmann and Cheryl Holt and one brother-in-law, Richard Holt.

Casket Bearers are Timothy James Wilsmann, Jeffrey Ciezki, Michael Wilsmann, Stacy Holt, Jeffrey "Curly" Marg and Randy Gault. Honorary Casket Bearers are Calli Decorah, Gary Melde and Tom Harnish.

Funeral Services for Robert will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 12, 2011 at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville. Pastor Bryan Olson will officiate. Music will be provided by Eileen Zank and Corrine Armitage, soloist. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Neillsville Veteran's Council. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Sunday at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and from noon to 1 p.m., Monday at the United Church of Christ.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Robert's family with Funeral arrangements.