Willis Elmer Luchsinger, age 88 of New Glarus died on Friday, November 20, 2009 surrounded by his family. He was born on October 9, 1921 in Postville in York Township, Green County, Wisconsin to Sam and Elizabeth (Elmer) Luchsinger. He was confirmed in the Swiss United Church of Christ in New Glarus in 1938. He was married on October 17, 1945 in the Perry Lutheran Church in Daleyville to Lennys Jelle. Willis and Lennys farmed for 10 years, then he worked at Pet Milk in New Glarus, Fisher Body in Janesville, and then retired from the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Monroe after working there for 27 years. Willis loved cutting wood, stamp collecting, studying the weather, traveling and taking pictures, especially day trips including going to Devil's Lake and the Mississippi, and watching the squirrels and birds in the back yard. Most of all he loved having his family, grandkids and great-grandkids near by. Willis encouraged his daughters to make music, and enjoyed hearing them sing and play.
Willis is survived by his wife, Lennys Luchsinger of New Glarus; four daughters, Lynn (Ben) Schwoerer of New Glarus, Beth Luchsinger of New Glarus, Kaye (Karl) Gmur of New Glarus, and Lori (Byron) Ward of Poynette; brother-in-law, Obert (Marietha) Jelle of Mount Horeb; sister-in-law, Carol (Ken) Nyland of New Glarus; 10 grandchildren, Teresa Pelton, Jim Schwoerer, Joy Warner, Tiffany Schwoerer, Jamie Doeseckle, Monika Pernot, Bill Gmur, Kris Gmur, Jeremie Ward, Melissa Ward; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws Alster and Carol Jelle and Sharon and Fritz Durst.
A celebration of the life of Willis will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Shepherd Of The Hills Lutheran Church in New Glarus at 506 12th Avenue. The Rev. Gene Talley will officiate.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM until the time of service at the church. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family is establishing a memorial fund.
Willis is survived by his wife, Lennys Luchsinger of New Glarus; four daughters, Lynn (Ben) Schwoerer of New Glarus, Beth Luchsinger of New Glarus, Kaye (Karl) Gmur of New Glarus, and Lori (Byron) Ward of Poynette; brother-in-law, Obert (Marietha) Jelle of Mount Horeb; sister-in-law, Carol (Ken) Nyland of New Glarus; 10 grandchildren, Teresa Pelton, Jim Schwoerer, Joy Warner, Tiffany Schwoerer, Jamie Doeseckle, Monika Pernot, Bill Gmur, Kris Gmur, Jeremie Ward, Melissa Ward; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws Alster and Carol Jelle and Sharon and Fritz Durst.
A celebration of the life of Willis will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Shepherd Of The Hills Lutheran Church in New Glarus at 506 12th Avenue. The Rev. Gene Talley will officiate.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM until the time of service at the church. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family is establishing a memorial fund.