Vilas J. Noyes, age 94, of Montfort, died on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at his residence in Montfort. Vilas was born on June 10, 1926, in Adams County, WI the son of Roy and Alma (Runkel) Noyes. He married Ruth A. Washburn on June 12, 1948 at the Montfort United Methodist Church.
Vilas is survived by his daughter Barbara (John) Brown and their daughter Katie of Houston, TX, son Ken (Kathy) Noyes of Cobb with children Karl Noyes of Fennimore, his daughter Makala and grandson Jonah, Kris Noyes of Rewey, Kurt (Jessie) Noyes and daughter Madelyn of Altoona, WI, Kari (Joe) Panozzo of Dodgeville and children Dawson Panozzo and Breanne Kieler, daughter-in-law Diana Mertz Noyes of Claremont, CA, with children Kristen (Mike) Dorsey and their children Gavin and Meghan of Chino, CA and Melissa (Kevin) Boquet and their children Cody and Kyle of Eagle River, Alaska. Vilas is also survived by a brother Fred (Marlene) Noyes of Madison, WI, sisters-in-law Marty Washburn of Menomonee Falls, WI and Carol Washburn of Rockford, IL, and brother-in-law Harold (Barbara) Hovorka of Portland, OR.
Vilas graduated from Livingston High School in 1945. He then worked for Oscar Mayer. Vilas and Ruth moved back to Livingston to farm with her folks in 1949. For their entire 68-year marriage Vilas and Ruth enjoyed the family’s fall ritual of making cider from their own trees. In 1951 they rented a farm near the Platteville Mound until 1961, when together they purchased a farm outside of Stitzer. Vilas and Ruth moved into Montfort in 1986, but continued to be active on the farm until 2002. Vilas was a member of the Montfort United Methodist Church and an active leader with the Stitzer Go-Getters 4-H Club. Vilas enjoyed woodworking and teaching woodworking skills for the 4-H. He was a familiar figure at the Grant County Fair Woodworking exhibits. Vilas and Ruth enjoyed traveling together on several mission trips, a European farm tour and numerous visits to family.
Vilas was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, his parents, son Daniel Noyes in 1990, brothers LeRoy and Donald and sisters Carol Hovorka and June Coppernall.
Private funeral services will be held at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Montfort. A memorial service will follow at a later date. The Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort is serving the family and cards of sympathy can be sent here at 203 West Grant St. Montfort, WI 53569.