Obit: Eisentraut, David C. #2 (1944 - 2016)

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

Surnames: Eisentraut, Braatz, Opelt, Krehmeyer, Hediger, Jones, Strangfeld, Bjerke

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/04/2016

Eisentraut, David C. (3 June 1944 - 30 April 2016) With Flag

David, 71, fought a courageous battle with cancer and passed away peacefully at home the morning of April 30, 2016, surrounded by his family and friends. He will be deeply missed by all.

David was born in Clark County, Wisconsin, June 3, 1944. He was the third son of Doris Eisentraut (Braatz) and Carl Eisentraut. He attended grade and high school in Neillsville. At age 17, David joined the United States Marine Corps, where he traveled to Camp Pendleton, CA and proudly served his country as part of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Marines throughout the Vietnam War era.

He completed his service and was honorably discharged as Lance Corporal E3! He then returned to Neillsville with his wife Patricia and family and assumed responsibility of the family farm. He also worked hand-in-hand with his father and brother to help operated Eisentraut Tree Farms.

David later attended Chippewa Valley Technical College (CTVC) and began his apprenticeship in the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen. He worked as a journeyman plasterer for many years with Christensen Plastering of Neillsville and Kopf Plastering of Marshfield until his well-deserved retirement.

He and Patricia, his wife of 52 years, spent their post retirement years traveling together to some beautiful places such as Ireland, Italy and the Canadian Rockies.

David love working in his garden and just enjoying the outdoors. He was part of many family fishing trips to the Boundary Waters and always enjoyed getting out Musky fishing with his brother and son. He had many successful hunting trips out west and never missed a Wisconsin deer-season opener in over 60 years. David love reading a good book and was a huge Packer and Badger fan.

In his early years, David was a member of the Neillsville Saddle Tramps, Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association and Dairyland Fox and Coon Hunters Association. He also brought back many first-place trophies as a member of the Neillsville Bowling League and the American Legion softball team.

He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #73, the Neillsville Men’s Club, International Union of BAC and always remained a proud Marine.

David was preceded in death by his father, Carl Eisentraut; brother, Jimmy Eisentraut; step-father, Victor Braatz; and mother-in-law, Dorothy Opelt.

David is survived by his wife, Patricia; mother, Doris Braatz; brother Arne Eisentraut; father-in-law, Robert Opelt; son, David (Carolyn) Eisentraut; daughters: Kristi (Bryan) Krehmeyer, Judy (Mitch) Hediger, Tami (Dave) Jones and Jeanne (Jeff) Strangfeld; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for David will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, with visitation from 10 a.m. until time of service. Pastor Douglas Bjerke will officiate. Military Honors will be performed by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council and the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Military Honors Program.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at: www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting David’s family with funeral arrangements.