George John Lonsdorf

George John Lonsdorf 86, of the Town of Maine, died Monday, July 12, 2010 under the compassionate care of Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau. He was born May 23, 1924 to William and Elizabeth (Sutter) Lonsdorf. He attended St. Anthony School in Athens and graduated from Wausau Senior High School in 1942. He went on to obtain a degree in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Wisconsin, Short Course in 1947. He was united in marriage to Dolores Litzer in August, 1948 and together they operated a Guernsey dairy farm and orchard until his retirement in 1991. Throughout his life, George served in many farm organizations as a director, officer and active member. He also served in the Town of Maine government for over 20 years both as Zoning Administrator and Town Chairman. Under his leadership as Town Chairman he helped organize the formation of the Town of Maine Fire Dept. George was instrumental in the establishment of the Wausau Farmer's Market and was a charter member and familiar face at the market each week offering his Silver Creek Orchard homegrown apples & cherries. He was a devout Catholic and a member of The Church of St. Anne. He is survived by his devoted wife, Dolores, his brother William (Nola) Lonsdorf and his 11 beloved children whose lives he influenced forever: George Lonsdorf of Madison, Tim (Stella) Lonsdorf of Wausau, Linda (Bob) Davis of Prior Lake, Minnesota, Daniel (Shelly) Lonsdorf of DeForest, Marshall Lonsdorf of Wausau, Laurie (Mike) Kennedy of Carver, Minnesota, Peggy (Dennis) Griffin of Wausau, Roseanne (Martin) Hanley of Wausau, Christopher (Carey) Lonsdorf of Merrill and Petty Officer First Class, Andrew Lonsdorf, U.S. Naval Reserve. George has 12 grandchildren: Stephen & Melody Lonsdorf, Kathleen, Vincent & Andrea Vignali, LeeAnn (Todd) Duwe and Anthony Lonsdorf, Philip, Patrick & Matthew Hanley, and Elizabeth & Mariah Lonsdorf. George is preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth Lonsdorf, his sisters, Gertrude Hogan, Sister Cecelia (Florence) Lonsdorf, Elizabeth Guier and his daughter Suzanne Elizabeth Lonsdorf. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday July 15, 2010 at the Church of St. Anne, Wausau. Rev. James Shafer will preside. Burial will be in the Lonsdorf Family Cemetery. Friends may call on Weds. from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Church of St. Anne, Wausau and again on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com