Leon W. (Willy) Kuhn

Leon W. (Willy) Kuhn

The legendary Willy Kuhn played his last gig on Earth, passing away on April 17, 2022, after a hard fought battle. Always standing in the front row…his wife of 50 years, Cheryl; his children Kris (Katie), Leon (Denise), and Michelle; and his pride and joy grandsons Dougie and Luka.

Willy was born on December 19, 1947, in Moline, Illinois to Leon and Dorothy Kuhn. When Willy was 10, the family moved to Underhill, and from that day forward, Underhill would never be the same. In between terrorizing the town with the neighborhood kids, one day he picked up a guitar and was a natural. He joined his first band when he was 16 and was in numerous bands through the years and finally hung it up at age 72. He met the love of his life Cheryl who tried her best to tame the man – it was truly a hard task – and they married in 1971. Together, they owned a one-man auto and tractor repair shop in Underhill, Kuhn’s Garage.

There are so many stories that he shared with all of us over the years, some of them so wild to make you wonder if they were even true – they probably were! He was always good for a story, and always ready with a joke, even if it was off color, told at the most inappropriate time, and left you feeling awkward! But that was Willy Kuhn – he marched to his own drum.

He lived for his family, especially his 2 grandsons that he adored more than anything. The shenanigans were plentiful when he was with them. He loved music and played guitar in multiple bands through the years. He played the meanest Johnny B. Good you’ll ever hear. He kept a prized garden, always hoping to have the first tomato of the year and could often be seen tooling around the yard on his lawnmower. He enjoyed taking “short cuts” driving around up north and getting lost – you always come out somewhere! The guy could “willy rig” anything and enjoyed tinkering. Willy was a one-of-a-kind, jack-of-all-trades, fun-loving, down-to-earth kid at heart.

Along with his wife, children, and grandchildren, Willy is survived by his siblings, Carol (John) Schultz, Ron (Rita) Kuhn, Tom (Mary) Kuhn, Sue (Don) Kahler, Dale (Karie) Kuhn, and Terry (Leon) Wychesit. Further survived by Cheryl’s side, who he shared a very special relationship with, Ken (Mary) Keiler, David (Florence) Keiler, and Tom (Jackie) Keiler.

To celebrate his amazing life, we encourage you to continue telling your Willy Kuhn stories to keep his legacy alive. A gathering to remember him will take place on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Randy’s Place Bar & Bowl in Suring from 1 to 4 p.m.

Expressions of sympathy and memories may be shared with Willy’s family at www.kuehlfuneralhome.com

Gregory (Zimmie) Zimmermann

Gregory (Zimmie) Zimmermann

Gregory (Zimmie) Zimmermann, age 84, a Manitowoc resident passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday morning April 12, 2022 at his residence.

Greg was born on October 7, 1937, son of the late Henry and Rose (Jacobs) Zimmermann.  He graduated from Brillion High School.  Greg served in the United States Army.  Greg was employed as an auto mechanic at many different garages including Larson Chevrolet in Valders, where he also drove school bus for many years.  He went on to work at Krueger Lumber before retirement.  Greg enjoyed watching NASCAR races.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law: Jane and Gary Linzmeier, Manitowoc, Marie and Mark Tuma, Valders, nine grandchildren: Aaron Linzmeier and Michelle Christman, Valders, Stephen Linzmeier, Milwaukee, Robert (Kassie) Linzmeier, DePere, Sally Linzmeier, Chippewa Falls, Ashley (Tim) Henneman, Valders, Kyle Tuma and Kylee Griffin, Platteville, Kaden Tuma, Valders, Dakota Bierhals, Kellnersville, Madilynn Bierhals, Denmark, five great grandchildren, mother of his children: Pat and Jim Milligan, Valders.

Greg was also preceded in death by one daughter: Ellen Bierhals.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.lendmanfh.com

The Lendman Funeral Home & Gathering Center, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Joseph W. Hessel

Joseph W. Hessel

Joseph W. Hessel, age 63, a Reedsville resident passed away Tuesday morning April 5, 2022 at his residence after a battle with cancer, surrounded by his family.

Joe was born on April 29, 1958 in Manitowoc, WI, son of Eva (Snowden) Niquette and the late Russell Hessel.  He graduated from Manitowoc Lincoln High School, with the class of 1976.  After high school Joe attended chef school in Fond du Lac, WI.  He then served in the United States Air Force.  His love was for family and his Heavenly Father.  His favorite pastime was reading the Holy Scripture, he may be the only person that has read the Bible multiple times and each time growing closer and closer to his Heavenly Father.  Joe had a passion for caring for the elderly.

Survivors include his mother: Eva Niquette, Manitowoc, his siblings: John Hessel, Alaska, Pat (Laura) Hessel, Canada, Judes (Denver) Simonides, Wheeling, IL, Mary (Glen) Floyd, St. Nazianz, WI, Randy (Debbie) Hessel, Madison, WI.  Also surviving are aunts, uncle, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Joe was also preceded in death by his father: Russell Hessel, one brother: Duke (Michael) Hessel, step-father: Tom Niquette.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at The Lendman Funeral Home & Gathering Center, 4638 Expo Dr., Manitowoc.

A brief service will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at The Lendman Funeral Home.  Burial will be held at a later date.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the V.A. Hospital, Milwaukee they could not have been better to him.  They were wonderful.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.lendmanfh.com

The Lendman Funeral Home & Gathering Center, 4638 Expo Dr., Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Daniel E. Meyer

Daniel E. Meyer

Daniel Meyer, age 87 of Valders died peacefully with family by his side on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Aurora BayCare in Green Bay after a brief hospital stay.
Dan was born on November 20, 1934 in Manitowoc, to the late Raymond and Viola (Koenig) Meyer.  He was a graduate of Valders High School with the class of 1953. Following graduation he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Georgia. On December 9, 1954 he married the love of his life, June (Evenson) in Georgia, who preceded him in death on August 19, 2008. Together they raised two children. After his discharge from the Army he returned home to work alongside his father and brother in the family business, Meyer’s Inc, eventually taking the business over and building many notable homes in the Manitowoc area. For many years Dan and June owned and operated Meyer Mini Storage. Dan was a member of the Valders Fire Dept., Valders Lions Club, served on the Village Board and was a member of Man-Cal Builders.
He enjoyed time spent with friends playing cards and golfing. He also brought together a wonderful crew of carvers/woodworkers at his shop for weekly “carving nights,” where as he often said “after all is said and done, more is said than done.” His love for woodworking continued over the years and played a prominent part in his everyday life as he crafted many beautiful carvings and bowl turnings. Dan’s children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have always been near and dear to him and he took on the role of “Papa” to many. His quick-witted humor and warm demeanor made him a bright light in the life of anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law: Tammy and Dan Esser, two granddaughters: Kacey Esser, Kelsey (Justin) Brooks and two great grandchildren: Jayce and Zoey Brooks; sisters-in-law:  Joyce Wiegert, Virginia Meyer, Margaret, Veronica, Judy and Marlene Evenson. Nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends survive.

Dan was preceded in death by his wife, June, his son, Jay, parents: Raymond and Viola Meyer, father-in-law and mother-in-law; Bennett and Myrna Evenson, brother and sister-in-law: Clifford and Ruby Meyer, sisters and brothers-in-law: Carol and Willard Nett and Jeanette and Roger Jost, sister-in law and brother-in-law: Betty and Ted Jeske, seven brothers-in-law: Marlyn, Gene, Donald, Roger and Dennis Evenson, William Wiegert and Robert Meyer; four nephews: Craig Meyer, Bruce Jeske, Wally Evenson and Trevor Behnke.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Thursday April 7, 2022 at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday April 7, 2022 at Faith Lutheran Church, Valders.  Officiating at the service will be Rev. Jim Wilson.  Burial of the cremated remains will occur at Valders West Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.lendmanfh.com

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff’s at Aurora Medical Center, Two Rivers and Aurora BayCare Medical Center, Green Bay. Also to the Valders Ambulance and to Dan’s many family and friends for their care and compassion shown towards Dan and his family.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Daniel’s name.

The Lendman Funeral Home & Gathering Center, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.