Wilfred E. Budack, age 81, of Stitzer WI passed away on Monday, September 7, 2020, at Orchard Manor in Lancaster WI. He was born November 10, 1938 at Lancaster WI the son of William F and Edna A (Gratz) Budack. Wilfred was united in marriage to Cheryl Keller on December 27, 1962, at the Fennimore United Methodist Church in Fennimore.
Wilfred spent the majority of his life in Stitzer. He attended Livingston, Annaton and Fennimore schools graduating from Fennimore High School in 1956. After graduation, he farmed with his dad, which kept him from his dreams of flying planes in the Korean conflict. He met the love of his life, Cheryl, at the Stitzer United Methodist Church at MYF. After marrying this much younger little lady, he began work in the fertilizer business in Stitzer, which led to a long career as a spray applicator. Wilfred would often point to the grain bins that he had built and serviced along with the fields that he had sprayed all over the tri-state area. He took a few years off from the fertilizer business to try his hand at running the “Stitzer One Stop” gas station and mechanic shop. He loved his station and it is still ours today. Wilfred loved the outdoors. He never missed a year of deer hunting. He also enjoyed duck hunting, pheasant hunts in South Dakota with his sons and granddaughters, as well as fishing trips to Canada. Wilfred became a member of the Stitzer-Liberty Fire Department in 1958 where he was a member for over 57 years. He was the Superintendent of the Grant County fair in the antiques department and also at the Fennimore Jr. Fair. For years, he worked behind the scenes helping the Stitzer-Go-Getters 4-H club music program, the Stitzer United Methodist church VBS programs as well as “Master Coffee Maker” for all events. Wilfred also enjoyed card club and Couples Club, and was a board member of the Stitzer Park and the Stitzer UMC.
Wilfred is survived by his four children; Rhonda (Jim) Hughey of Stitzer and their children Charisse (Derek) Orth and Cheyenne Hughey, and great-grandchildren Zeeva and Jaylee Orth, Brendan (Timara) Budack of Sun Prairie and their son Logan Budack, Shane (Christine) Budack of Sun Prairie, and Chantelle (Ala) Awadallah of Greenfield and their children Soraiya, Rahmi and Qadriya, one bother; Ernell Budack of Lancaster; two brother and sister-in-laws; Bernard (Elaine) Keller of Stitzer, Donald (Marilyn) Keller of Lancaster along with many other nieces, nephews and cousins.
Wilfred was preceded in death by his ”Wifey” Cheryl on October 14, 2019, by his parents, mother and father-in-law Jesse and Velma (Hickin) Keller, sisters and in-laws; Wilma (William) McCormick, Ruth (Calvin) Bendorf, Lila (Paul) Biddick, and Linda Budack.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday September 11, 2020, at the Stitzer United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8:00 P.M. on Thursday Sept.10, 2020 at the church and from 10:00 A.M. until time of service at the church on Friday morning. The family asks you to please remember your masks and practice social distancing. The Larson Family Funeral Home is assisting the family.