Obit: Gumz, William J. (1940 - 2008)

Poster: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Blasel, Broeske, Everhard, Gebert, Gumz, Kosik, Kreklau, Metz, Nelson, Ploeckelman

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., WI) Thursday, October 9, 2008, Online Edition

Gumz, William J. (March 10, 1940 - October 4, 2008)

William "Bill" J. Gumz, 68, Dorchester, died Saturday, Oct. 4 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where he had been a patient for the past month.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Oct. 8 at Peace United Church of Christ in Dorchester, with Rev. Robert Everhard officiating. Interment was at Dorchester South Cemetery. Pallbearers were Robert Gumz, Mark Metz, Ken Gumz, Ray Metz, Tommy Ploeckelman and Jim Kreklau.

William Gumz was born March 10, 1940 in the Town of Holton to the late William A. and Selma Mabel (Blasel) Gumz. He attended Bruckerville Grade School in the Town of Holton and Dorchester High School. After school and when his father died, he helped his mother on the family's dairy farm, which he purchased in the mid 1960s.

On July 10, 1971 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Medford, he married Dawn E. Nelson, who survives. They owned and operated the family farm, along with their children, until his retirement in January 2008.

He was a member of Peace United Church of Christ where he served as past council member, and Midnight Riders in Dorchester. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, snowmobiling and especially his children and grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, survivors include four children, Bruce (Jolene), Amy (Cory) Broeske, Beth (Kevin) Kosik and Julie Gumz, all of Dorchester; brothers and sisters, Esther Kreklau of Stetsonville, Eugene (Barbara) and Leonard, both of Colby, and Betty (Jerry) Gebert of Lake Holcombe; and four grandchildren, Keaten Gumz, Alexis Gumz, Megan Kosik and Aaron Gumz.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Alfred in February 2004.

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford assisted the family with arrangements.