Obit: Brey, Wallace Norbert “Wally” (1923 - 2016)

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

Surnames: Brey, Joosten, Kitzhaber, Fitzgerald, Klier, Griesbach, Sinner, Marine, Cortez, Joseph

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/16/2016

Brey, Wallace Norbert “Wally” (4 December 1923 - 11 March 2016)

Wallace :Wally” Norbert Brey, 92, died March 11, 2016, in his home in Neillsville, where he had been lovingly cared for by his wife of 66 years and family who met his needs during the years he was afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease.

Wally was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Dec. 4, 1923, and grew up on his parents’ farms in Milladore, Marshfield and Greenwood. He attended St. John’s Grade School in Marshfield, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1944. After attending River Falls State Teachers’ College, he returned to Greenwood where he married Peggy Kitzhaber June 1, 1949, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

He started farming with a show herd of purebred Ayrshires he had built starting as a child in 4-H. He continued farming and worked as a dairy plant fieldman until retiring from Greenwood Milk Products in 1985. After caring for his parents, he and Peggy spent their retirement years at their cottage in Tomahawk and winters in Mission, TX.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville and a member of the Knights of Columbus for 43 years. Wally enjoyed hunting, fishing and card playing. He was an avid Brewer and Packer fan and in retirement spent time creating craft items for family and friends. His stories and humor will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Peggy); children: Jim (Valerie) of Milwaukee, Art of Neillsville, Pattie of Madison, Dave (Phillis) of Zumbro Falls, MN, Linda of Neillsville, Steve (Debby) of Neillsville, Charlie (Cindy) of Stillwater, MN, Karen (Mark Fitzgerald) of Madison, Bruce of Pardeeville and Mary of Monterrey, Mexico; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and siblings: Daniel of Colby, Bernice Klier of Sheboygan, Francis “Hammy” (Delores) of Greenwood and Jean Griesbach of Sheboygan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Delia (Joosten) Brey; sister, Norma Sinner; daughter, Marie; and grandson, Donald Marine.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville. Father Varkey V. Joseph will officiate. Providing music will be Vicente Cortez, organist, and St. Mary’s Choir. Visitation was held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. A Knights of Columbus Rosary was said at 6:30 p.m. There will also be visitation Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Neillsville.

Serving as casketbearers will be Isaac Vernon Brey, John Brey, Benjamin Brey, David “DJ” Brey, Jasmine Brey and Kari Marine. Honorary casket bearer will be Donald Marine.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home was assisting the family with arrangements.