Walter E. Wetzel

Walter E. Wetzel, 88, of Neillsville passed away at his home after a battle with cancer on March 1, 2022.

Walter Emil Wetzel was born on February 22, 1934 to Emil and Meta Wetzel in the township of Pine Valley, Clark County, Wisconsin.  Walter attended St. John’s Lutheran School and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1953.  After graduation Walter bought a canned milk route he owned for many years and in the spring of 1959 he purchased his farm north of Neillsville now owned and operated by his son, Jim.  In Sept 1959 Walter was united in marriage to Joyce Neeb and together they had 5 children.

Throughout the years Walter enjoyed many card and dice games with friends.  He enjoyed many hunting trips out west deer and bird hunting with family and close friends.  Walter enjoyed many Wisconsin deer seasons also.  A project Walter looked forward to every year was helping his grandkids, nieces and nephews raise their fair pigs.

Walter represented the Neillsville schools and community for many years. Walter served on the Neillsville Board of Education for 30 years and was selected as the board president for many of those years. During those years, he continually supported new opportunities for students, and the maintenance and upgrading of all school facilities.

Walter also represented the Neillsville area on the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CTVC) board for several terms. He was Instrumental in getting a CVTC campus building located in Neillsville. That campus building has helped serve adults and youth in the Neillsville area with numerous educational opportunities for vears.

Walter represented Neillsville at the regional and state levels as well as serving on the Cooperative Service Educational Agency 10 (CESA 10) Board of Control, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Board of Control, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) Board of Control and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Boundaries Appeal Board. All of these organizations represent the best interest of children, and communities. Walter was proud to have the opportunity to be a voice for the Neillsville children and community while being a representative with each of those associations.

Walter is survived by his wife, Joyce and 3 sons, Bob (Caroline) Wetzel, Jim Wetzel and Kenny (Debbie) Wetzel and a daughter, Lynn (Jamie) Harris all of Neillsville, 8 grandchildren, Bradley (Laura) Wetzel of Livingston, WI, Christopher Wetzel of Neillsville, Jammie (Kyle) Ley of Madison, WI Alyssa (Josh) Rothe of Oshkosh, WI, Matthew Wetzel of OK, Ashley (Adam) Davel, Alex (Aly Dach) Harris and Michael Harris all of Neillsville and 20 Great Grandchildren.  He is also survived by a brother, Raymond (Sharon) Wetzel and a sister, Karen (Kenny) Mohr both of Neillsville and numerous nieces and nephews.

Walter was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Jean, his parents and a grandson, Jacob, 2 sisters and their husbands, Hazel (Cliff) Roehl and Florence (Leo) Wiesner.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, WI.

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

Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Walter’s family.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.