Frederick William Kieser

Fred Kieser, age 89, of Neillsville, WI died Saturday, February 13, 2016 at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center.Frederick William Kieser was born on August 24, 1926 in Athens, Wisconsin the son of Gottlieb and Stella (Habeck) Kieser. They moved to Abbotsford, WI, and Fred graduated from Abbotsford High School in 1944. He joined the United States Navy and served in World War II. Upon returning home from the war, he went to work for O&N Lumber Co. in Abbotsford. In 1956, he took a full time job with the Army National Guard in Eau Claire, WI as an Artillery Mechanic. On August 11, 1957 he was united in marriage to Lois L. Zimmerman in Manchester, WI. After they were married they lived in Eau Claire. Fred was transferred to Neillsville in 1959 as the Shop Chief for Organizational Maintenance, with the National Guard. Their first child, Douglas, was born in Eau Claire in 1960 and they moved to Neillsville in 1961. Fred was called to active duty that year for the Cuban Missile Crisis. He served with the 32nd Division in Fort Lewis, Washington. Brian, their second child, was born in 1962. In 1966, Fred was promoted to Unit Administrator for the Wisconsin Army National Guard in Neillsville. He stayed in that position until retiring in 1986. He was honorably discharged from the Army after serving a total of 40 years.Fred was a long-time member of the Clark County Male Chorus. He was a member of the Neillsville Kiwanis Club for over 40 years and was the Lieutenant Governor for Division 16 of the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan district of Kiwanis International in 1988-1989. For his service to the Kiwanis Club, he was presented the George F. Hixson Fellowship award, which was presented by his club. Fred was a long-time member of the Calvary Lutheran Church and sang in the church choir for over 40 years. He was also a long-time member of the Wilson-Heintz VFW Post #2241 and the Haugen-Richmond American Legion Post #73 in Neillsville.He is survived by two sons, Douglas Kieser of Minneapolis, MN and Brian (Kathryn) Kieser of Edina, MN, one granddaughter, Zelda Grace Kieser, two brothers, Donald Kieser of Abbotsford, WI and Dennis (Joan) Kieser of Thorp, WI, five sisters, Doris Hodd of Abbotsford, WI, Marilyn Brown of Mason City, IA, Carol Bartz of Merrill, WI, Muriel (Warren) Puhl of Menomonie, WI and Marjorie (William) Rohlik of Eleva, WI. Fred is further survived by many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois on December 21, 2015, his parents, a sister, Dorothy Quade, a sister-in-law, Joann Kieser, three brothers-in-law, Kurt Bartz, Floyd Hodd and Quinton Quade.A Memorial Service for Fred will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 20, 2016 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville, WI. Pastor Chad Anderson will officiate. Music will be provided by Kathy Meshnick, organist and the Calvary Lutheran Church Choir. Interment will be in the Markesan Cemetery in Markesan, WI. Military Honors will be conducted by the Neillsville Veteran's Council. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday at the church.Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Fred's family with Funeral arrangements.Funeral Home:Gesche Funeral Home4 South Grand AvenueNeillsville, WIUS 54456