Obit: King, Aloysius J. (1921 - 2014)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Anderson, Campbell, Dollison, Foch, King, Neuman, Sauer, Streveler, Weeks, Wilson

----Source: The Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 7/09/2014

King, Aloysius "Al" J. (19 FEB 1921 - 30 JUN 2014)

Aloysius "Al" J. King, 93, died Monday, June 30, 2014 under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice at the House of Dove, Marshfield.

He was born February 19, 1921 in the town of Cassel, son of the late Jacob and Emma (Foch) King. On May 7, 1946 he married Marie Neuman at St. Michael Catholic Church, Hewitt. She preceded him in death on August 20, 2001.

After his marriage, Al and Marie purchased Al's aunt and uncle's farm (Ben and Elizabeth King) located on Highway N south of Edgar. The farm has been in the King family since 1886 and continues to be part of the King family. In 1946 Al and Marie had 14 cattle. When he retired the farm had grown to a point where he was milking over 100 cattle. In 1984, ownership was transferred to his sons, Mike and Kevin.

Farming and the land was a passion for Al. He loved doing field work and was always proud of "knee high corn" on the 4th of July. Al did custom working in the summer, combining oats for neighboring farmers. Summers were busy with 4-H activities which included softball games, where Al taught kids how to bat, catch and throw. Besides the softball, Al helped to show off the cattle of the farm at the Wausau Fair in August. In his retirement years, he would go to the fair and watch his grandchildren show cattle. He continued to have a keen interest in the farm and always asked what was happening on the “Farm”, even on the night he passed.

After his retirement, he continued to help with field work on the Farm as he was needed and able. He never wanted to stop driving tractor but as they got bigger and he aged, he was unable to continue this passion. In 1984, he and Marie moved to his home on Hwy H. There his field turned into his gardens. He tended to the plants all year long, carefully planting, weeding, watering and finally harvesting his produce. Marie did most of the planning and lay out of the flowerbed and even through this year, the flowers were laid out specifically as she did it. For many years, including this year, Al grew gladiolas (he planted over 500 again this year). When they are in bloom, he would carefully cut them and take them to the floral shop in Edgar, where they would be arranged and placed on the altars at St. John's Church. Al expanded on his gardening skills, Al began to can pickles sharing them with family and friends. No family party was without these special pickles. Extra pickles and produce was donated to St. John's Church in Edgar, where they were used to provide lunch to the Catholic School children. In the fall of 2013, Al received the Friend of the School award from the St. John's Catholic School. They surprised him at the time with an honorary Diploma from the school. Although silent about the award, it filled his heart with joy.

Al developed a new passion in 2006 when he started to go fishing. Weeks before his death he spoke about catching his 'big' one. The weekend before he passed, he caught a 23 inch, 7 pound sheepshead. Not a game fish but for Al, it was a delight and a final item he could cross off on his amazing bucket list. He fought the good fight and won! Family and God were very important to Al. Al raised 10 awesome children that learned his codes and ethics. He didn't tell them how to be, he showed them how to be, how to work, how to put family first, how to be the best they could be. He taught by example. He was a small man, small in stature but he cast a huge shadow. Al touched many lives from his farming days, to being with family and friends, to his time with 4-H activities, to helping at church and working at the Holy Name events. He was close with his children, making each visit with them a memory for him and them. Al prayed quietly, his head down, devote in prayer. Many times he worked in complete silence, where his companion was God. All 10 of his children have a special memory from their Dad and of their Dad. His life and legacy will live on and on with his words and actions. He will be missed by all of them but he will continue to live on within their hearts.

Despite being in failing health this year, Al, with the help of family planted his garden. His daughter Deb spent the last 4 months with Al, making sure he continued to have his independence and the ability to continue with his passions and wishes. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Deb. Without her care and assistance, their Dad would not have been able to enjoy these past months. This time allowed all of his family for special times and memories, many which are priceless. Deb and the family will continue to work the garden, their Dad with them as they reap what he sowed. The family would also like to thank his "daughter'-in law Linda. Linda over the years stopped and talked to their Dad, listening to his stories and caring for him. She brought Al love and joy.

Al touched many lives in his 93 years, He is survived by his 10 children, 18 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren, and 6 step great grandchildren. Donald (Karen) King, Edgar, and their children, Dan and Brian, Rita King, Marshfield, Dr. Jerry (Jane) King, Jodi (John) Campbell and their son, Alex, Jeri Lynn (Tom) Dollison and their children, Sam, Scout and Lucas, Jonathan (Joanna) King and their children, Henry, Scarlett and Vivian. Kathleen (Robert) Weeks, Stoddard, and their children, Rachel (Kyle), and Esther (Karl) Dr. Ronald (Monica) King, St. Louis, and their children, Bracken (Rachel) and their son, Wesley, and Tyler (Shelley). Jeanne (Rick) Anderson King (Marshfield) and their children, Rachel (Brett) and their children, Ashley and Cole, Jason (Tammy) and their children, Alexis and Lauryn, Jacob (Christina) and their children, Mason and Carter, Peter (Kelley) and Nick (Tara), Mike (Linda} King, Edgar, and their children, Patrick (Katie), Carol, Scott (Hallie) Alyce (Allan) Sauer, Appleton, Kevin (June) King, Edgar and their children, Nathan, Michelle (Jason) and their children, Madeyln and Isaac, Melissa, Angela, Alycia, Deb (Robert) Wilson, Marshfield and their child, Jamie. Al is also survived by his brothers and in-laws, Alfred, Arnold (Joan), Mark (Joanne), Sylvester Wilhelm.

Besides his wife, Marie, he was preceeded in death by his parents, Jacob and Emma King, His brothers Joseph, Leonard, Anthony, his sisters, Anna, Loretta, Mary, Agnes and Dorothy.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2014 at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. Rev. Robert Streveler will preside. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a rosary service at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening at the Edgar funeral home.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com