Obit: Fleming, Elvin E. (Bud) (1933 - 2015)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Fleming, Wyatt, Hertzfeldt, Kubiak, Beulow, Kaufman, Huck, Thorn, Van Gundy, Wolfe, Culhane, Jones, Dick, Richardson

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 2/11/2015

Fleming, Elvin E. (Bud) (3 January 1933 - 8 February 2015) With Flag

Elvin E. (Bud) Fleming, 82, died February 8, 2015. Bud was born in the Town of East Pepin, WI on January 3, 1933, the second child and oldest son of the five children of Elvin Gilbert and Matilda Rose (Wyatt) Fleming. He grew up on farms in the Town of Pepin and attended Pepin Public, Lost Creek, and Hicks Valley elementary schools. He received a diploma from Pepin high School in 1951.

In 1951, Bud enlisted in the U. S. navy, and was trained and served as an aircraft mechanic. His shore duty was at Alameda, CA and his sea duty was as a petty officer 2nd Class with jet fighter squadron VF-91 aboard the USS Hornet in the western Pacific. Upon discharge from the navy in 1955, Bud worked as a construction laborer that summer and, with the Korean GI Bill, financed the pursuit of a broad area major in the social sciences with a history emphasis and a physical education-coaching minor at UW-River Falls.

In partnership with his wife Viva, Bud regarded his family as his greatest accomplishment. Bud and Viva Marie (Hertzfeldt), of Alma, were married in 1956. Four children were born to them: Jon (Mary), Julie (Kraig) Jac (Michelle), and Jayne (Dan).

Viva taught at Spring Valley, WI while Bud finished at River Falls. They both taught at Lac du Flambeau, WI public school until 1963 when they accepted contracts to teach in public schools at Thorp, WI. Bud retired from teaching in 1996 and was drawn into local politics, having earlier served as alderman for two terms on the Thorp City Council. He then served five terms on the Clark County Board and one term on the Thorp School Board.

While teaching, Bud earned a Master’s Degree in teaching history at UW-Eau Claire and a private pilot’s license at Gibson Aviation, Eau Claire. Among the avocations Bud enjoyed besides flying were gardening, woodworking, hunting genealogy and an ongoing study of the history of the English-speaking people.

Along the path of Bud’s life, he appreciated the companionship and sometimes mentoring of a stream of friends from all walks of life, including numerous former students.

Bud is survived by his wife, Viva; four children (mentioned above): 15 grandchildren: Deanna (Nick) Kubiak, Jon Fleming, Traci (Will) Beulow, Dana (Joe) Kaufman, Levi Fleming-Huck, Jessica (Matt) Thorn, Marissa (Kenny) Van Gundy, Adrain Fleming, Magda Dick; and nine great-grandchildren: Phillip, Audrey, Braydon, Lydia, Nina, Chelsea, Emily, Kenny and Anthony; siblings: Mike (Natalie) and Mary ‘Boots’; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by parents, Elvin and Tilly Fleming; and sisters, Mylis and Rose.

A time to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. at the Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha with Pastor Dan Richardson officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Pepin at a later date. Family and friends may call at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service. The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha is in charge of arrangements. You may express condolences at www.abbottfh.com.