Obit: Ulesich, LaVern Phillip (1948 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Ulesich, Kuenkel, DePaulis, Foemmel, Bie, Pierce, Gaitero        

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) January 11, 2012

Ulesich, LaVern Phillip (28 January 1948 - 30 December 2011)

LaVern Phillip Ulesich, 63, entered the church triumphant and eternal rest Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at his home in Springfield, MO.

LaVern was born on a very cold winter day in Neillsville Jan. 28, 1948, to Tony and Ruth (Kuenkel) Ulesich.  He was raised on the family dairy farm in Willard and attended local schools and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  He will be fondly remembered as "Butch" to the communities around Willard.  He shared the story to his children that until the day he went to school, he didn’t know his name was LaVern, as he was never called anything besides Butch. When he went to Milwaukee he was gifted with the nickname Leroy; this, too, was one of his names that followed him.  He may have been a man of three names, but behind that he remained the same warm and wonderful man the family called husband and Dad. He returned to the area in 1981 and ran the dairy until August of 1997. At that time, he moved to Oklahoma and then Springfield, MO, although the community he lived in was Willard, MO.  He was very proud to say he lived in two Willards in his life.

LaVern was an entrepreneur at heart and enjoyed being a sales person.  Most recently, he was employed by Alliance Rehab Medical Supplies as a wheelchair technician. He left behind a legacy of projects and businesses and frequently was told "it was a great idea but ahead of his times."  LaVern’s passion and dreams were to build energy efficient homes for people.  He was a man of integrity and trust.

LaVern married Ginger DePaulis Dec. 16, 1988, in Chippewa Falls.  They were blessed with three children, Phillip, 21, of Springfield, Morgan, 20, of Fayetteville, AR, and Isabella, 16 of Springfield.

LaVern enjoyed family times with his family and was very involved in their activities.  You could find him as a bleacher coach at their wrestling matches, soccer and softball games and enjoying the drama plays, band competitions and vocal concerts.  He was always available to help with the snack bar, fund raising and grilling hamburgers for the team’s barbecues.  The last two years the family made the 12-hour drive to Green Bay to celebrate Christmas with family and then attend the Green Bay Packers Football game on Christmas Day.  He accomplished changing his wife from a Viking fan to a Packer fan and his children wore the green and gold proudly.  Sundays, you would find LaVern at the hospitality table at Schweitzer United Methodist Church serving ice tea while ginger helped with serving snacks.  He love to serve and pitch in where needed.

LaVern greeted everyone with a hearty hello and sometimes his hellos could end up in long conversation, as he never met a stranger.

LaVern is survived by his loving wife, Ginger; son Phillip, daughters Morgan and Isabella; a sister, Shirley (Wayne) Foemmel of Carmichael, CA; a brother, Frank (Dianne) Ulesich of West Bend; nieces, Robin (Scott) Foemmel Bie and Crystal (Rick) Pierce; nephews, Eric Foemmel and Tony Ulesich; and great-nephew, Julian Foemmel-Gaitero.

He was laid to rest Jan. 5 at Maple Park Cemetery, Springfield, MO, following a funeral and celebration of Life at Schweitzer United Methodist, Springfield, MO.

Condolences may be sent to the family at 4415 North Farm Road 117, Springfield, MO 65803