Russell Lawrence Wiesen, age 94, of Waupaca, WI, passed away at his home on Thursday, December 29, 2022.
Russ was born on June 8, 1928 to the late Lawrence Martin Wiesen and Edith Evelyn (Hales) Wiesen-Lewis. He graduated from Waupaca High School in 1946. In 1947, Russ joined the Army National Guard and served his country during the Berlin Crisis in 1961. He retired from the Guards after serving 26 years.
On September 27, 1950, Russell was united in marriage to Donna Jean Nelson. Together they had three daughters. He was a machinist his entire life, owning and operating C&R Repair (now Waupaca Machine) with Charles Weisbrod. Faith was an integral part of his life as he was a member of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. As a member of St. Mary’s, he was involved with the Knights of Columbus – helping with the annual chicken BBQ and Tootsie Roll sales. His other interests included summer camping trips, boating on the Chain O’ Lakes with his grandchildren on the “Spirit of the Lakes” pontoon, and building/creating wood or metal crafts and projects. After retiring, he volunteered at Bethany Home repairing wheelchairs for the residents. You could also find him attending his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s school or sports activities.
Russell is survived by his wife of 72 years Donna Wiesen; his three daughters Kathryn Ann Wiesen-DeSardi (Anthony) of Scottsdale, AZ, Mary Jo Solberg (Robert) of Waupaca, WI, and Libby Chehale Alexander (f/k/a Jean Marie Wiesen) of Madison, WI; six grandchildren Michelle Lynn Solberg-Ford (Euan Ford), Ryan Aaron Solberg, Anna Marie Corbett, Abbey Lynn Corbett, Marc Anthony DeSardi, and Amalia Jayne DeSardi; two great-grandchildren Carter Ryan Solberg and Anja Mireille Ford; two nieces Dana Glogovsky of CO and Teri Glogovsky of IL; and also by numerous cousins in the New London and Fond du Lac areas.
He was preceded in death by his father Lawrence M. (Henrietta) Wiesen; his mother E. Evelyn (Irving “Barney”) Lewis; a sister Donna M. (Steve) Glogovsky; four step-brothers Edward Prochnow Jr., Robert Prochnow, Kenneth Lewis, and Clifford Lewis; and a step-sister Lorraine (Lewis) Arndt.
A Memorial Mass will be on Friday, January 13, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Waupaca, WI. Father Xavier Santiago will preside. A visitation will be held on Friday morning from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the church. Burial will take place in the spring at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Cemetery in Waupaca. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in his honor. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.