Obit: Wesenberg, Norman O. "Casey" (1934 – 2018)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Wesenberg, Zimmerman, Rollins, Helm, Clark, Loberg, Hanuszczak, Sternitzky

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 07 Feb 2018

Wesenberg, Norman O. "Casey" (21 OCT 1934 – 3 FEB 2018)

Norman O. “Casey” Wesenberg, 83, Granton, died on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, at the Marshfield Medical Center. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Zion American Lutheran Church in Granton. Rev. Daniel Zimmerman officiated. Music was provided by Caroline Helm, organist. Honorary casket bearers were Dean Rollins, David Rollins, Justin Clark and Darrin Loberg. Casket bearers were Craig Wesenberg, Bo Hanuszczak, Steve Rollins, Brian Wesenberg, Dale Wesenberg, and Keith Loberg. Interment will be in the Town of Lynn Cemetery at a later date.

Norman Oscar Wesenberg was born on Oct. 21, 1934, in the Town of Lynn, the son of Fred and Vera (nee Sternitzky) Wesenberg. He attended Mayflower, Lutheran Parochial School and Granton High School, graduating in 1952. He then attended UW-River Falls for a short while. On Nov. 3, 1954, he joined the United States Army and served in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Fort Sill, Okla., and various forts in Germany. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 17, 1956, and married Carol Jean Garbisch on Aug. 22, 1959 in Granton. He was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and was a member of Zion American Lutheran Church ELCA but attended Methodist churches in Granton and Chili. Casey was a man of many vocations in central Wisconsin. He was a farmer for seven years, hauled milk for Schmidt and Lynn Dairy, then worked for Panter and other cranberry marshes. He had a small business in Loyal, and drove vans for Abby Vans in Neillsville and Comfort Carriers in Medford. It wasn’t all work; his interests were in sports. He umpired many ball games in Granton, was a baseball manager and earned the nickname “Casey.” He traveled throughout the 50 states, England and Germany. Through the years, Norman and Carol Jean hosted exchange students at their home. He greatly appreciated their foreign exchange student, Josy Peukert from Germany. In 2011, Norman and Carol Jean were chosen as “Honored Citizens” for the Granton Fall Festival. Norman was a member of the Loyal American Legion and VFW of Neillsville. He was a Town of Lynn Board member, a Clark County Board member, and a member of the West Central Regional Planning Commission. He enjoyed being with his grandchildren, Justin and Kristi, and especially his great-grandson, Caleb Jensen. He enjoyed religious music and opera music and was an avid coin collector.

He will be missed by his loving wife of 58 years, Carol Jean; a daughter, Lynn (Steve) Clark of Chili; two grandchildren: Justin of Georgia and Kristi of Minnesota; a great-grandchild, Caleb Jensen, and his parents, Matt and Aimee of Mosinee; a sister, Frieda (Verlyn) Rollins of Granton; a brother, Roy (Dawn) Wesenberg of Wisconsin Rapids; a sister-in-law, Carolyn Wesenberg of Marshfield; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Vera Wesenberg; his brothers, Arnold “Doc” and Harvey Wesenberg; and two sisters-in-law, Marlene and Gloria.

Memorials may be directed to the Immanuel United Methodist Church, W920 North St., Chili, WI 54420, or Zion American Lutheran Church, W2824 Hill Rd., Granton, WI 54436.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

The Gesche Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.