REUBEN HOELZEL

Reuben Hoelzel, age 94, of Appleton, formerly of Menasha, passed away early Tuesday, March 30, 2010 surrounded by his family. He was born March 9, 1916, in Stockbridge, to the late Joseph and Mary (Giesen) Hoelzel. On October 18, 1941, Reuben married Betty Scherer. Reuben was a very active man, involved in the Menasha Athletic Association and the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Menasha, 1063. He served as the past State President of the Eagles and was currently the Treasurer. He was also a member of the Eagles of the Great Lakes and was inducted in the Eagles Hall of Fame in Madison after winning the Father of the Year Award within the Fraternity. Reuben was also an active member of St. Patricks Parish in Menasha, where he served as captain of the usher team and ushered for 58 years. In the years after the depression, Reuben drove a milk truck for Theils Cheese factory before working for John Strange Corp, managing the Menasha Eagles Club, owning the Horseshoe Bar in Menasha and eventually working for Menasha Corp., from which he retired in 1979. In his free time, Reuben enjoyed fishing, playing cards, going to the casino, baseball, football, traveling, spending time in his flower garden, and was a big fan of Brett Favre. Reuben is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Betty; six children and their families: son Tom (Sharon) Hoelzel and their children: Scott (Leann) and their daughter Kiela; Deborah (Tom) Galinsky and their children: Chelsea, Aaron, and Evan; daughter Beverly Meyers and her children: Deborah (Robert) Lee and their children Chandra (Jesus) Sierra and their children: Elena, Alicia, and Sophia; Charissa (fianc Jason Kunstman), Quintin, and Quinlin Lee; James (Denise) Meyers and their children: Brandon and Hunter; Steven (JoAnn) and their daughter Madison; son Wayne (Shirley) Hoelzel and their son Brian (Linda) and their children Carter and Bennett; daughter Linda Kersten and her children: Michelle Roy and her daughter Brittany; Kevin (Lisa) Flowers and their children: Kayla, Kimmy and Austin; daughter Barb (Dennis) Clow and their children: David and his children: Skylor and Stephanie; Stacy (Kelly) Braatz and their children: Desiree, Kayla, and Kirkland; and son Michael (Susan) Hoelzel and their children: Loren (Dutchess) Jape and their children: Samantha, Brittany, and AllisonSue; Ottilia (Bob) Scanlon and their children: Kyla and Isabelle; and Leonard (Cari) Hoehne and their children: Madelynn, McKenzie, and Layla, all from the Valley. He is further survived by his sister Rosemary (Gilbert) Ortleib; and his brother Francis (Cecelia) Hoelzel; as well as sisters-in-law Julie, Beatrice, and Eleanor Hoelzel and Joyce Bordman; many nieces and nephews; and his buddy, Squirt. He was preceded in death by his brothers Alvin, Edward, Arthur, and Gilbert; and his sister Alice (Ned) Colovich; as well as sons-in-law James W. Meyers and Gerald Kersten; future-son-in-law Paul Popp; and a great-grandson Tyler Kieth Hoelzel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Menasha with Father Larry Canavera officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be grandsons: James G. Meyers, Steven P. Meyers, Kevin Flowers, Scott Hoelzel, Brian Hoelzel, and David Hoelzel Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of service at church. Interment will be at Resthaven Cemetery A memorial fund has been established in Reubens name. The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses with Affinity Hospice, especially Jackie, Gina, Crystal and Elizabeth, who stayed with him in his last hours. Thank you also to Dr. Reese Saegar and Dr. Hildebrand for their care and compassion.