Fritz Haldiman, age 92, South Wayne, passed away on April 24, 2016 at Pleasant View Nursing Home. William Frederick Haldiman was born on January 1, 1924 near Monroe, WI to his parents, Walter and Elsie (Stucki) Haldiman. He was born at home during a blizzard while his father left with a horse and sleigh to pick up the doctor. He worked hard on the family farm while attending Franklin School in rural Monroe. On August 31, 1948 he married the love of his life, Charlotte Matzke, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA and they settled near South Wayne where his family purchased the farm known as the Ervin Johnson homestead. For several years he was the branch manager of FS in South Wayne and later Fritz and Charlotte farmed with his brother Roy, for 40-plus years. He also served as the Town Clerk for the Town of Wayne for 20 years. His son, Terry, bought the farm in 1994. Fritz was very proud that his grandson, Dan, purchased the farm in 2013 and operates it now with his two young sons who are the 5th generation working on the farm that he and Roy loved so much. Fritz loved his country, his farm and most of all, his family. Fritz looked forward to visits from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in his later years, telling them stories of his younger days.
Fritz loved the game of baseball and pitched for several Home Talent teams in the area, beginning his baseball career in Monticello. He was chosen to play in a game at Wrigley Field to showcase the midwest's best young athletes that was coached by Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner. At age 22, he was offered a minor-league contract with the Chicago Cubs but chose to marry his beloved Charlotte instead. He was instrumental in starting the Wiota franchise of the Home Talent League in the late 1950's. He managed the team and played, as did his two sons, his son-in-law, his 4 grandsons and his grandson-in-law. Baseball on Sunday in Wiota was.....and still is a family affair! Fritz was an avid golfer and Brewer fan all of his days watching every game on TV with Charlotte who learned to love the game, as well. He was also a big fan of the WI Badgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Fritz is survived by his children, Terry (Nola) Haldiman, South Wayne, Tim (Jane) Haldiman, Waterloo, WI, and Patty (Steve) Tuescher, Darlington, his brother, Roy Haldiman, South Wayne and sister, Nancy (Bob) Davidson, Murrietta, CA. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Jason, Dan (Jaqui) Haldiman and Krista (Dave Powell) Haldiman, Trent (Chrissy) Haldiman, Kim (Tim) Lancaster and Kory (Dani) Tuescher and 10 great-grandchildren, Anna, Keira and Kendra Haldiman, Dylan and Brett Haldiman, Broderick Powell, Gia Haldiman, Lexi and Rylie Lancaster and Quincy Tuescher. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Charlotte on March 29, 2016, his sister, Ruth Legler, and two great-grandchildren Carly and Zachary Haldiman.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Wiota Lutheran Church, with Pastor Kevin Cernek officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, in South Wayne.
Visitation will be Friday, April 29th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Wiota Lutheran Church, in Wiota, WI. Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home is serving the family.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
Fritz loved the game of baseball and pitched for several Home Talent teams in the area, beginning his baseball career in Monticello. He was chosen to play in a game at Wrigley Field to showcase the midwest's best young athletes that was coached by Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner. At age 22, he was offered a minor-league contract with the Chicago Cubs but chose to marry his beloved Charlotte instead. He was instrumental in starting the Wiota franchise of the Home Talent League in the late 1950's. He managed the team and played, as did his two sons, his son-in-law, his 4 grandsons and his grandson-in-law. Baseball on Sunday in Wiota was.....and still is a family affair! Fritz was an avid golfer and Brewer fan all of his days watching every game on TV with Charlotte who learned to love the game, as well. He was also a big fan of the WI Badgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Fritz is survived by his children, Terry (Nola) Haldiman, South Wayne, Tim (Jane) Haldiman, Waterloo, WI, and Patty (Steve) Tuescher, Darlington, his brother, Roy Haldiman, South Wayne and sister, Nancy (Bob) Davidson, Murrietta, CA. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Jason, Dan (Jaqui) Haldiman and Krista (Dave Powell) Haldiman, Trent (Chrissy) Haldiman, Kim (Tim) Lancaster and Kory (Dani) Tuescher and 10 great-grandchildren, Anna, Keira and Kendra Haldiman, Dylan and Brett Haldiman, Broderick Powell, Gia Haldiman, Lexi and Rylie Lancaster and Quincy Tuescher. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Charlotte on March 29, 2016, his sister, Ruth Legler, and two great-grandchildren Carly and Zachary Haldiman.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Wiota Lutheran Church, with Pastor Kevin Cernek officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, in South Wayne.
Visitation will be Friday, April 29th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Wiota Lutheran Church, in Wiota, WI. Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home is serving the family.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.