Merton "Dean" Saalsaa, age 68 of Argyle, died Thursday, July 3, 2008, at his home in Argyle, WI surrounded by his family. Dean was born on July 27, 1939, in Monroe, Wis. to Myrto and Genevieve (Stiner) Saalsaa. He graduated from Argyle High School and went to work with his dad and brother on the family farm in rural Argyle. He married Carolyn (Keesey) in Rockford, Ill., on September 26, 1967. They had five children.
Dean was an avid hunter and sportsman. He had the state's largest brown trout for a number of years. He also trapped, hunted deer, turkeys and pheasants. He enjoyed teaching his sons and nephews how to hunt and fish.
He raised and showed spotted hogs at many 4-H State and National shows. He had the top spotted hog herd in the United States in 1982.
Dean moved to Argyle in 1985. He began delivering the Wisconsin State Journal in Argyle in 1988 until April of this year.
He played ball for many years on Argyle's Home Talent team and also on many slo-pitch teams in Argyle and Monroe.
Dean is survived by his wife Carolyn; four sons, Robert (Hayley) Saalsaa, Argyle; Richard Saalsaa, Mount Horeb; Danial (Crystal) Saalsaa, Argyle; Aaron Saalsaa, Argyle; and one daughter, Minda Saalsaa, Argyle; two granddaughters, Jenevieve and Alisha.
He is also survived by his brother Roger (Gayle) Saalsaa of Verona; mother-in-law Bernice Keesey of Orfordville; many nieces and nephews; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his parents Myrto and Genevieve and his father-in-law Kenneth Keesey.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at the Yellowstone Lutheran Church, Saints Road, Blanchardville, WI, with Rev. Dan Bohlman officiating. Burial will be in the Argyle Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. July 7, 2008 at Yellowstone Lutheran Church.
The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family.
Dean was an avid hunter and sportsman. He had the state's largest brown trout for a number of years. He also trapped, hunted deer, turkeys and pheasants. He enjoyed teaching his sons and nephews how to hunt and fish.
He raised and showed spotted hogs at many 4-H State and National shows. He had the top spotted hog herd in the United States in 1982.
Dean moved to Argyle in 1985. He began delivering the Wisconsin State Journal in Argyle in 1988 until April of this year.
He played ball for many years on Argyle's Home Talent team and also on many slo-pitch teams in Argyle and Monroe.
Dean is survived by his wife Carolyn; four sons, Robert (Hayley) Saalsaa, Argyle; Richard Saalsaa, Mount Horeb; Danial (Crystal) Saalsaa, Argyle; Aaron Saalsaa, Argyle; and one daughter, Minda Saalsaa, Argyle; two granddaughters, Jenevieve and Alisha.
He is also survived by his brother Roger (Gayle) Saalsaa of Verona; mother-in-law Bernice Keesey of Orfordville; many nieces and nephews; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his parents Myrto and Genevieve and his father-in-law Kenneth Keesey.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at the Yellowstone Lutheran Church, Saints Road, Blanchardville, WI, with Rev. Dan Bohlman officiating. Burial will be in the Argyle Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. July 7, 2008 at Yellowstone Lutheran Church.
The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family.