Wilfred Walter Otto Petznick

Wilfred Walter Otto Petznick Wilfred Walter Otto Petznick, 71, of Stetsonville, died Monday, July 24, 2006, at Colonial Center of Colby, where he has resided since June while under Ministry Hospice Care. Wilfred was born May 16, 1935, in Hamburg, Wis., the son of Walter and Hilda (Wendt) Petznick. He attended schools in Hamburg, Wausau and Athens. He also completed the Farm Training Program from North Central Technical Institute. After a life-changing car accident in 1954, he courted, then married, Carol June Erdmann on July 3, 1955. In 1957, Wilfred and Carol bought a farm in the township of Halsey where they farmed for 43 years. They expanded their farm when they purchased their first registered Holsteins and formed MDS Acres. Wilfred and Carol received numerous farm awards through the years including: 1970 Outstanding Young Farmer, Host of the first Wisconsin Forage CounciI Field Day in Marathon County, Wisconsin Forage Pacesetter Award, Host of the Marathon County Holstein Breeders Twilight Meeting, Northern Division Quality Milk Award, Central Area Council Quality Milk Award, and Marathon County Holstein Breeders Distinguished Senior Recognition. Wilfred served on the Marathon County Farm Bureau, Athens Cooperative Board, Marathon County Holstein Breeders and other boards. He enjoyed card playing, deer hunting, and time spent with all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Carol, of Stetsonville; his nine children, Margean Schrieber of Wausau, Dorean (Danny) Freimund of Milan, Donna (James) Schmidt of Colby, Debra (Michael) Schaefer of Gilman, Denise (Scott) Kulawinski of Birnamwood, Daryl (Tina) Petznick of Stetsonville, Darvin Petznick of Colby, Marlin Petznick of Stetsonville and Sandra (Michael) Seliger of Hamburg; and two brothers, Vilas (Jerrilynn) Petznick of Maryville, Mo. and Wesley (Pal) Petznick of Fort Calhoun, Neb. He is also survived by 22 grandchildren, Gabriel Schreiber, Dawn, Diane, and Dee Freimund, Jennifer (Paul) Stuttgen and Jill Schmidt, Anne (Dave) Fleegel, Patricia, Crystal, Michaela and David Schaefer, Kimberly and Kristin Kulawinski, Dominique, Benjamin and Brice Petznick, Emmalee, Elizabeth and Erika Petznick, Troy Petznick, Paige and Miki Seliger; and four great-grandchildren, Collin Stuttgen, Alexis and Hannah Fleegel, and Nakeita Petznick. He also has numerous nieces and nephews. Wilfred was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wayne and Verlon Petznick; and a grandson, Nicholas Petznick. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2006 at Christ United Church, Athens. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home in Athens, and again from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church. Burial will be in the Athens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established in Wilfred's name. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com