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1918 Walter 2017

Walter Bubolz

August 7, 1918 — November 16, 2017

Walter George Richard Bubolz, age 99 of Montello passed away Thursday, November 16, 2017 at the Montello Care Center. Walter was born in the town of Marcellon, Columbia County, Wisconsin on August 7, 1918 the son of Adolf and Wanda (Beier) Bubolz. He attended Portage schools and furthered his education at UW Stevens Point with groundwater classes and at UW Madison for wastewater treatment for his job later in life. In 1941, Walter was inducted in the US Army with the 5th Infantry Division. He served in Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, England, France, Luxemburg, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Belgium. Walter received his first Purple Heart when he was injured by a grenade while in Angers, France on August 10, 1944 and was again wounded by heavy artillery at the Battle of the Bulge on December 26, 1944, receiving the second Purple Heart Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. While serving our country during World War II, Walter received the following recognitions: Two Purple Hearts, Medal of Good Conduct, Bronze Star American Defense Service Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon, Silver Battle Star, Six Overseas Service Bars, One Service Stripe, Expert Rifle Badge, Combat Infantry Badge and Driver and Mechanics Badge. He received an Honorable Discharge in August of 1945 from Company E 11th Infantry Battalion of 5th Infantry Division, rank as Tech Sgt. He was a lifetime member of The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 162 of Oshkosh. Walter also received a Diploma of Defense from the French Government. After Walter was discharged, he was proud of his service and remained active as a member of American Legion Post 351 of Montello, Life Member of VFW Post 1707 of Portage, Life Member of DAV Chapter 11 of Oshkosh and member of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

Walter was employed by the Milwaukee Gas Company. He married Eleanor Geske on March 30, 1946 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Milwaukee and together they moved to Montello. Walter received his apprenticeship in lettering and carving monuments at Stotzer Granite Company in Portage before taking a job with the Montello City Water and Sewer Department; he served as superintendent for 32 years until his retirement.

During his life in Montello, Walter always remained community minded. He joined the Montello Fire Department in 1950, serving 28 years and 18 as Fire Chief. He helped organize the Montello Joint Fire District and served as: Fire Inspector, Marquette County Civil Defense Emergency Government, President of Marquette County Fireman's Association, President of South Central Fireman's Association and Public Safety Committee and as Marquette County Coroner. He also was a member of the Montello City Council.

Walter enjoyed woodworking, gardening, hunting, fishing, all sports, especially playing fastpitch softball. He was inducted into the Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame in Portage on June 17, 2000. He was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. On June 20, 2009 Walter experienced the Freedom Honor Flight to Washington D.C. visiting the World War II Memorial built in honor of the World War II Veterans. Walter is survived by four children: Janell (Michael) Jacobson of New Lisbon, Glen (Carol) Bubolz of Montello, John (Nanta) Bubolz of Beaver Dam and James (Amy) Bubolz of Beaver Dam as well as ten grandchildren: Brent (Bonnie) Jacobson of Mauston, Danielle (friend Jayson Hines) McGuire of New Lisbon, Jenny (Steve) Barganz of Montello, April (Matt) Mohrenweiser of Brainerd, MN, Jana (Aaron) Vogelsang of Johnson Creek, Andrew (friend Heather Schatzke) Bubolz of Montello, Seth Bubolz, Emilie Bubolz, Julia (Kurt) Duchow, Natalie Bubolz and Dominic Bubolz all of Beaver Dam. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren: Nathan, Anna, Emily, and William Barganz, Carmella McGuire, Miriam, Niklas Mohrenweiser and Vanessa and Viviana Vogelsang. Walter is further survived by sister-in-law, Florence Geske, niece, Emma Sainsbury and three nephews: Bruce Williams, Lloyd Geske, Jr. and Wayne Bubolz. Walter is preceded in death by his parents, wife, two brothers: Albert and Martin Bubolz, three sisters: Selma Mael, Esther Koch and Ella Layne and nephew, James Sainsbury. A Funeral Service for Walter Bubolz will be held on Monday, November 20, 2017 at 12:00 noon at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Montello. Visitation will be held from 9:30 until 11:45 AM at the church. Pastor Pete Zietlow will preside and burial with full military honors by American Legion Post 351 of Montello will follow the service at the Montello City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. John's Lutheran School or the Montello Volunteer Fire Department.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is assisting the family with arrangements. www.CrawfordFH.com

Previous Events

Visitation
Monday, November 20, 2017
9:30 AM - 11:45 AM
St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 E. Montello Street
Montello, WI 53949

Funeral Service
Monday, November 20, 2017
12:00 PM
St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 E. Montello Street
Montello, WI 53949

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