Obit: Wilsmann, Robert Gerald Sr. #2 (1928 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Wilsmann, Heibel, Holt, Decorah, Ciezki, Lang, Opelt, Harnish, Melde, Bartelson, Marescalco, Schwan, Oreskovich, Ovsak, Simplot, Wachholz, Marg, Gault, Zank, Armitage, Olson        

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) September 14, 2011

Wilsmann, Robert Gerald Sr. (13 September 1928 - 8 September 2011) With Flag

Robert Gerald Wilsmann Sr., 82, of Neillsville died Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011, in St. 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 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, then the former Coast-to-Coast store, then 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.  He 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 (Sara) 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, Shelly (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.

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

Funeral services for Robert were held at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville.  Pastor Bryan Olson officiated.  Music was provided by Eileen Zank and Corrine Armitage, soloist.  Visitation was held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Gesche Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment was in the Neillsville City Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council.

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

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