Daniel W. Vollmer
Daniel (Danny) W. Vollmer, age 88, of rural Hilbert, passed away peacefully after a battle with COPD, on April 5, 2018. He was born on December 23, 1929 in Oshkosh to the late Walter and Florence (Vogt) Vollmer. He was raised on a farm in rural Hilbert and attended St. Mary’s Grade School there and was a 1947 graduate of Hilbert High School.
On April 11, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Sielaff, in Racine, WI. They were six days short of 65 years together and their marriage was blessed with three children, eleven grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.
While farming the homestead, which ran for six generations, he went to work full time for Lunda Construction and was a very reliable Yard Supervisor until 1995 when he retired. He never really “retired” as he helped his grandson on the family farm and was a “fix-it” man for family and friends. He always kept busy either making wood or volunteering as a repair man for St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Hilbert where served as Vice President in the past and was President when he passed away. He was so knowledgeable about so many things and could fix anything.
He was the first president of the Calumet Co. NFO (National Farmers’ Organization) which was collective bargaining to obtain a fair price for farmers. He was a past president of the Oxbow Sportsman’s Club and an avid hunter and dog lover. He was also a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hilbert and their Holy Name Society and the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Over the years, he and Barbara enjoyed traveling to many states and countries, including Alaska, Europe, Caribbean Islands, and Canada.
Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Barb; beloved daughters: Mary (Lloyd) Thiel, Hilbert, WI, Peggy (Jim) Heimermann, Charlesburg, WI; daughter-in-law: Nola Howell, Billings, MT; eleven grandchildren: Tim (Chris) Pattermann, Waunakee, WI, Craig (Gail) Pattermann, Appleton, WI, Heather (Tim) Edwards, Green Bay, WI, John (Natalie) Beach, Madison, WI, Tom (Samantha) Beach, Huntersville, NC, LeeAnn (Marshall) Schmidt, Neenah, WI, Rebekah Beach (special friend, Kevin), Neenah, WI, Daniel Beach, New Holstein, WI, Greg (Jenni) Vollmer, Hilbert, WI, Jenny (Mike) Engroff, Mequon, WI, Katie (Jeff) Chaganos, Appleton, WI; two step-grandchildren: Melissa (Lucas) Kraus, Jamie Heimermann (special friend Jeremiah Greever); twelve great-grandchildren: Allie, Bella, and Eddie Pattermann, Emily and David Vollmer, Gabe and Alea Edwards, and Leo and Logan Pattermann, Blake Schmidt, Savanna and Ella Engroff; four step-great-grandchildren: Stella Kraus, MaKenna Conjurski, and Rayna and Stevie Greever; sisters: Jean Holzer and Carol (Paul) Gehl; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Michael (March 2000); son-in-law: Denny Pattermann (1999); son-in-law: Dan Beach; brothers-in-law: Don Sielaff and Don Holzer.
His daughters remember him as a man of steel and velvet, intelligent, ambitious, good provider, generous, and a leader. He had strength of character and was not afraid to take a stand against popular opinion. He was so proud of the picture taken of him along with his grandsons and his 76lb. sturgeon speared in 2011. It was not so much of the fish but of his grandsons who he was so proud of. It was Danny’s wish that he have his grandsons be his pallbearers.
Funeral services will be at 11:00am on Monday, April 9, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (108 S. 6th St.) in Hilbert. Friends may call at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton from 4:00pm until 7:00pm on Sunday, April8, 2018, and at St. Mary’s Catholic Church from 9:00am until 10:45am on Monday, April 9, 2018. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home after visitation Sunday evening.
The Vollmer family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, mainly the ER, 3rd floor, and 2nd floor, for their excellent care.