- Lester C. Abitz, Appleton, left his earthly home to be with his Savior on December 12, 2007. Born to Herman and Anna (Braun) Abitz in Grand Chute "300 feet from the city limits" on August 20, 1925. He married Ila J. Weihing on December 28, 1946, at Trinity Lutheran Church in the township of Ellington. The couple would have celebrated their 61 wedding anniversary this year. A graduate of Appleton High School, he proudly served his country during World War II in the Navy Air Force. As an aviation ordinance man on PBMs, he flew over the Caribbean Seas searching for German submarines and downed American pilots. He returned to farm in the township of Center. He joined his brother Will at Abitz Water Service and later became owner of the company before retiring in 1978. Known for his sense of humor, he enjoyed building "the cottage" in Lakewood, Wisconsin, and spending winters in Mission, Texas, with the many good friends he mad there. Les was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Appleton, Wisconsin.
Survived by his wife, Ila (Weihing) Abitz, Appleton. Three children: Rebecca (Don) Schmoll, New London; Brent (Marcia) Abitz, Combined Locks; and Sue Abitz, Madison. Grandchildren: Jennifer (fiance Bob Widholm) Weber and Ted Weber. Step-grandchildren: Bradley (Shawn) Schmoll, Christine (Bill) Gurath, Charlotte Schmoll and their children. A brother Gerald (Althea) Abitz, Dykesville and sisters-in-law: Lorraine Abitz and Bernice Brill, both of Appleton and Barbara Weihing, Brookfield. Brothers-in-law Merle (Mary) Weihing, Appleton; Glenn (Charlene) Weihing, Greenville; Gary (Roseann) Weihing, Center Valley and Bruce Weihing, Graterford, PA.
Preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Norman, Roland, Wilbert and sisters: Esther Boldt, Lucille Buss and Leone Heiden. Brothers-in-law: Clarence Boldt, Harry Buss, Joseph Bunda, Marvin Heiden, Gordon Weihing. Sisters-in-law: Helen Weihing and Norma Abitz. Nephews: Tommy Abitz and Bob Buss; nieces Betty Ring and Karen Dedering.
A funeral service for Les will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 18 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 302 N. Morrison St., Appleton, with the Rev. Kenneth Frey and Reverend Ralph Waack officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, December 17, at the Brettschneider-Trettin-Lederer Funeral Chapel, and after 10 a.m. Tuesday directly at the church until the time of service. Interment will take place at Highland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts made be made to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. John 16:22
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1925 - 2007 (82 years)
Obituary
