Obit: Ulesich, LaVern #2 (1948 - 2011)

Contact: Audrey Roedl

Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: Ulesich, Kuenkel, DePaulis

----Source: The Loyal TRG (Loyal, Clark County, WI 11 02 2012)

Ulesich, LaVern (28 JAN 1948-30 DEC 2011)

LaVern Phillip Ulesich, 63, entered the church triumphant and eternal rest on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at his home in Springfield, Mo. He was laid to rest at Maple Park Cemetery, Springfield, following a funeral and celebration of Life at Schweitzer United Methodist, Springfield, on Jan. 5.

LaVern was born on a very cold winter day in Neillsville on Jan. 28, 1948, to Tony and Ruth (nee Kuenkel) Ulesich. He was raised on the family dairy farm in Willard, and attended local schools and the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. He will fondly be 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 else 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 Willard area in 1981 and ran the family dairy until August 1997. At that time he moved to Oklahoma and then Springfield, 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, "was a great idea but ahead of his time." LaVern’s passions and dreams were to build energy-efficient homes for people. He was a man of integrity and trust. He married Ginger DePaulis on Dec. 16, 1988, in Chippewa Falls. They were blessed with three children—Phillip, 21, Springfield, Morgan, 20, Fayetteville, Ark., and Isabella 16, Springfield. LaVern enjoyed 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, 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 teams’ barbeques. 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 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. On Sundays, you would find LaVern at the hospitality table at Schweitzer United Methodist Church serving ice tea while Ginger helped with serving snacks. He loved to serve and pitch in where needed. He greeted everyone with a hearty hello and sometimes his hellos could end up in a long conversation as he never met a stranger.

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

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