Rollie Kriesel, 80, of Trempealeau passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at Gundersen Tri-County Memorial Hospital in Whitehall surrounded by family after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born January 5, 1935, at Grandview Hospital in La Crosse to Frederick and Delphine (Marcou) Kriesel , the youngest of nine children. He graduated from Galesville High School in 1952. He worked on the family farm until 1955, then enlisted in the Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California 1956-1958. He was in the active reserves until honorably discharged in 1963.
He married Patricia Ann Kokott on February 2, 1963, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Arcadia. He purchased the home farm that same year and raised livestock and crops. He was a Trojan seed corn dealer for many years. Rollie was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, the Centerville Co-op, National Farmers Organization, Wisconsin Pork Producers, and the Trempealeau County Fair Junior Livestock Auction Committee. Growing up Rollie was active in 4-H and FFA, showing Chester White hogs at the county fair and the Wisconsin State Fair and earning his Wisconsin State Farmer Degree. He enjoyed helping his daughters show steers and hogs at the Trempealeau County Fair and the Northwest Jr. Livestock Show in Eau Claire. He was happy to see grandchildren continue the tradition.
Through the years Rollie planted sweet corn, and his daughters sold it at the home farm along Highway 35. Rollie began selling sweet corn in Eau Claire. Word quickly spread about the "Man in the Yellow Van" with the delicious sweet corn, pumpkins and other produce. He gained many loyal customers who he enjoyed seeing during his twenty years selling in Eau Claire. He was so dedicated to selling sweet corn that he sold it again at the home farm and this past year was actually the first summer he didn't grow any.
Rollie enjoyed curling, snowmobiling, horseback riding, tractor pulls, playing Euchre and chess, and spending time with his family. He had a fondness for dogs and owned many over the years. He also enjoyed a trip to the John Deere plant to watch his own 4430 roll off the line. Rollie will be remembered by all for his strong, but quiet way and his warm smile.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Patty; six daughters: Kathy (Gene) Pierzina of Osseo, Ellen (Bill) Casey of Hudson, Vickie (Craig) Dunnum of Westby, Roxanne (Kall) Patzner of Kaukauna, Jennifer (Bryan) Thayer of White Bear Lake, MN and Valerie (Brian) Pierzina of Trempealeau; 12 grandchildren: Nick and Josh Pierzina, Mackenzie and Alyssa Casey, Alexis and Brittany Dunnum, Zenon, Gideon, Magdalen, and Veronica Patzner, and Roa and Gunnar Thayer. He is further survived by three siblings: Floyd Kriesel of Fountain City, Bernard Kriesel of Trempealeau, and Phyllis Hazler of Bethlehem, PA; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Lois Hagman, Doris Shillings and Irene Schaller; two brothers, Herbert Kriesel and Irvin Kriesel.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, January 12th at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 766 W. Wabasha, Winona, Minnesota with Pastor Paul Welke officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at Wozney-Killian Funeral Home in Arcadia and one hour prior to the service at the church. Ken Kriesel, Craig Dunnum, Brian Pierzina, Nick Pierzina, Josh Pierzina, and Zenon Patzner will serve as pall bearers.
Rollie's family would like to express their deep appreciation to the nurses and staff at the following: Black River Memorial Hospice, Gundersen Tri-County Memorial Hospital, Trempealeau County Health Care Center, Lakeview Health Center in West Salem, and Gundersen Hospital La Crosse. Memorials may be given to any of the above health care systems or the 4-H or FFA group of your choice.
1378 East Wilson Avenue
Arcadia, WI 54612
766 W. Wabasha Street
Winona, MN 55987
766 W. Wabasha Street
Winona, MN 55987
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He married Patricia Ann Kokott on February 2, 1963, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Arcadia. He purchased the home farm that same year and raised livestock and crops. He was a Trojan seed corn dealer for many years. Rollie was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, the Centerville Co-op, National Farmers Organization, Wisconsin Pork Producers, and the Trempealeau County Fair Junior Livestock Auction Committee. Growing up Rollie was active in 4-H and FFA, showing Chester White hogs at the county fair and the Wisconsin State Fair and earning his Wisconsin State Farmer Degree. He enjoyed helping his daughters show steers and hogs at the Trempealeau County Fair and the Northwest Jr. Livestock Show in Eau Claire. He was happy to see grandchildren continue the tradition.
Through the years Rollie planted sweet corn, and his daughters sold it at the home farm along Highway 35. Rollie began selling sweet corn in Eau Claire. Word quickly spread about the "Man in the Yellow Van" with the delicious sweet corn, pumpkins and other produce. He gained many loyal customers who he enjoyed seeing during his twenty years selling in Eau Claire. He was so dedicated to selling sweet corn that he sold it again at the home farm and this past year was actually the first summer he didn't grow any.
Rollie enjoyed curling, snowmobiling, horseback riding, tractor pulls, playing Euchre and chess, and spending time with his family. He had a fondness for dogs and owned many over the years. He also enjoyed a trip to the John Deere plant to watch his own 4430 roll off the line. Rollie will be remembered by all for his strong, but quiet way and his warm smile.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Patty; six daughters: Kathy (Gene) Pierzina of Osseo, Ellen (Bill) Casey of Hudson, Vickie (Craig) Dunnum of Westby, Roxanne (Kall) Patzner of Kaukauna, Jennifer (Bryan) Thayer of White Bear Lake, MN and Valerie (Brian) Pierzina of Trempealeau; 12 grandchildren: Nick and Josh Pierzina, Mackenzie and Alyssa Casey, Alexis and Brittany Dunnum, Zenon, Gideon, Magdalen, and Veronica Patzner, and Roa and Gunnar Thayer. He is further survived by three siblings: Floyd Kriesel of Fountain City, Bernard Kriesel of Trempealeau, and Phyllis Hazler of Bethlehem, PA; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Lois Hagman, Doris Shillings and Irene Schaller; two brothers, Herbert Kriesel and Irvin Kriesel.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, January 12th at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 766 W. Wabasha, Winona, Minnesota with Pastor Paul Welke officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at Wozney-Killian Funeral Home in Arcadia and one hour prior to the service at the church. Ken Kriesel, Craig Dunnum, Brian Pierzina, Nick Pierzina, Josh Pierzina, and Zenon Patzner will serve as pall bearers.
Rollie's family would like to express their deep appreciation to the nurses and staff at the following: Black River Memorial Hospice, Gundersen Tri-County Memorial Hospital, Trempealeau County Health Care Center, Lakeview Health Center in West Salem, and Gundersen Hospital La Crosse. Memorials may be given to any of the above health care systems or the 4-H or FFA group of your choice.
Visitation
JAN 11. 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CST)
Wozney-Killian Funeral Home1378 East Wilson Avenue
Arcadia, WI 54612
Visitation
JAN 12. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CST)
St. Matthews Lutheran Church766 W. Wabasha Street
Winona, MN 55987
Funeral Service
JAN 12. 11:00 AM (CST)
St. Matthews Lutheran Church766 W. Wabasha Street
Winona, MN 55987
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