Obituaries

 

William H. “Bill” Priske

POYNETTE  -- William H. “Bill” Priske, age 82, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Agrace HospiceCare, Madison.

He was born January 8, 1934, to the late Andrew “Jim” and Nellie (Schave) Priske.  He was the second oldest of 9 children.  After graduating from Rio High School in 1953, he volunteered to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army.  It was during this time that he received training to operate road construction equipment.  Bill worked for several construction companies in Madison, as a blacktop paver operator.  On February 11, 1961, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” DeGroff.  Their marriage of 55 years was blessed with six children. 

Bill loved “working” the farm.  He had a special, gentle way with all animals.  He especially enjoyed his Belgian Draft Horses.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, collecting Budweiser mugs, and playing cards, but his greatest enjoyment was spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Betty;  five children, Susan (Calvin) Moll, William (Holly) Priske, Linda (Gary) Priske-Georgeson, Lisa Priske, and Catherine (Dan) Wendt;  son-in-law, Richard Sekel;  14 grandchildren, Lindsey (Mickey) Doebert, Nate, Whitney and Austin Moll, Matthew and Luther Sekel, Joshua, Caleb (Jamie) and Rebecca Priske, Kaitlyn Priske, Amanda, Bethany, Cassandra and Serena Rae Wendt;  and a great-grandchild, Brandon Doebert.  He is further survived by four sisters, Clara Blau, Mary McFarlane, Alice Hagy, and Helen (Michael) Kallenbach;  two brothers, Tom (Judy) Priske, and John (Dorothy) Priske;  two brothers-in-law, Charles DeGroff and James (Gail) DeGroff;  many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents;  two brothers, Robert and Kenneth Priske;  a daughter, Sandra Sekel;  a granddaughter, Emily Sekel;  an infant granddaughter, Kayla Beth Georgeson; and brothers-in-law, Edwin Blau, James McFarlane, and Donald Hagy.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Poynette, with Fr. Paul Eruva presiding.  Military honors will follow.  Interment will be private.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home, 430 W. Wisconsin St., Portage.  Visitation will also be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the church.

The family would like to thank the staff at Country Terrace, American Way, and Agrace HospiceCare for their kind care these past three years.

 

Obituaries
For information please call 608 742-2126 (Portage, WI) or 608 635-2763 (Poynette, WI)