Jesse J. Waidelich, age 89, of Deer Park, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, January 1, 2009 at Riverbend Assisted Living in Amery, Wis.
He was born the son of Arthur and Elma (Christensen) Waidelich on April 11, 1919 in Bassett, Iowa. Jesse graduated from high school in Charles City, Iowa while also working at the Jack Spratt Store. He worked there as a meat cutter until moving to Cambridge, Minn. where he managed the Engberg's Locker Plant.
In 1948 he married Evelyn Joing-Dahl in Minneapolis, Minn. They made their home in Cambridge, Minn. until 1952 at which time he bought Deer's Food Locker in Deer Park, Wis.
He is preceded in death by a sister, Shirley, his parents, a son Douglas and two great-grandsons.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn, children Sharonne (Gary) Tulgren of Amery, Julie (Mike) Walsh of New Richmond, Jesse (Lynette) Waidelich of Star Prairie, Jody (Jim) Faschingbauer of Amery and Jennifer (Kevin) Luke of Deer Park. Jesse also had 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Jesse's brother Earl Waidelich, sisters Marge Becklin, Arlene Gable and Betty Lou Johnson all reside in Minnesota.
Jesse was an avid reader and he enjoyed traveling, dancing, beekeeping, horses, going to auctions, spending time with his family and the many customers he met over the 50 years he was in business.
The visitation was held on Sunday, January 4, 2009 from 3-7 p.m. at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery. Services were also held there on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 1 p.m. The burial was at Calvary Cemetery in Deer Park with a lunch at the Deer Park Community Center.
Funeral arrangements were with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Amery, Wis.
(Amery Free Press - Tuesday, January 6, 2009)
