Jake Waldvogel, of Phlox, died Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at home under the care of his family and LeRoyer Hospice. He was 80 years old. He was born on March 3, 1932 in Phlox, a son of Anton and Rose (Menting) Waldvogel. He married Barbara Leiskau on October 6, 1956 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Phlox. She survives.
He graduated from Mattoon High School with the class of 1950. He was a veteran of the Korean War having served with the United States Army specializing in telecommunications. Following service he worked as an iron worker in Milwaukee. Returning to Phlox he operated the Old Mill Tavern for nine years. Mr. Waldvogel then went back to iron work as a welder working in Wausau for Wausau Iron Works which later became Loed, retiring in 1982.
He stayed active by helping with the hot lunch program and cleaning at St. Joseph Catholic School in Phlox and volunteering at Homme Home in Wittenberg. He was very active with the Langlade County 4-H program having served as president, camp counselor, and 4-H leader.
He was an avid fisherman and hunter enjoying trips to Canada and gatherings at the family cabin. Mr. Waldvogel and his wife hosted foreign exchange students and they enjoyed trips to Europe where their students served as host.
His perpetual sweet tooth will long be remembered as he frequently snuck chocolate for himself and to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was a member of the town of Norwood volunteer fire department where he served as secretary-treasurer and the Devine-Menting American Legion Post 526 - Phlox.
As a member of St. Joseph Holy Family Catholic Church in Phlox he served on the parish council, board of education and taught religious education. He enjoyed the friendships developed through Marriage Encounter groups.
Survivors including his wife are three daughters Diane (John) Resch, Birnamwood, Mary (Todd) Petroskey, Antigo, Jill (Scott) Richardson, Wittenberg; five sons Randy (Debbie) Waldvogel, Antigo, Terry (Katie) Waldvogel, Birnamwood, Scott (Kim) Waldvogel, Antigo, Jody (Donna) Waldvogel, Birnamwood, Greg (Julie) Waldvogel, Randolph, Minn; 26 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; a sister Lorraine Duffy, Antigo; two brothers Ronald (JoAnn) Waldvogel, Green Bay and Paul (MaryAnn) Waldvogel, Aniwa.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three grandchildren; three sisters, Florence Duchrow, Mary and Kathleen Waldvogel, three brothers, Gordon, Cletus and Joseph Waldvogel,
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Holy Family Catholic Church with Rev. Robert Rhyner and Deacon Tom Hartman officiating. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery where military rites will be conducted.
Visitation will be 4:30-8 p.m. on Friday at the Bradley Funeral Home and 9-10:15 a.m. Saturday also at the funeral home.
A parish wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m. and the Devine Menting American Legion Post will stand honor guard from 7-8 p.m. Friday all at the funeral home.
Services
Visitation
Antigo, WI 54409
Service
Phlox, Wisconsin 54464
Hi grandpa... im writing this as well as saying in my heart to you. its december now... time for christmas.... its not gonna be christmas without you.. all your crazy decorating and tons and tons of lights.. i listened to your song today... i didnt realize how much i missed you but i know your watching over me grandpa.... i miss you so much....... i love you grandpa jake....
Hi Dad, It has taken me 2 weeks to be able to even write this. I miss you more than i can say. It's a big hole in my heart that can't be fixed. This just sucks there are no other words. We are taking care of Mom like we promised. I miss you Dad and i love you till we meet again.
Dear Barb and family,
So sorry for your loss of a wonderful man. I haven't known him long - we met only seven years ago at camp - but you didn't have to know him long to know what a terrific person he was. Our thoughts and prayers are with you - Take care.
Jake singing Puff the Magic Dragon at 4-H Camp Susan. Jake made 4-H Camp special for everyone.
To Barbara and Family, So sorry you all have lost your Jake. He was such a great, kind and understanding person.
I will always remember his smile!
You and family have our sympathy at this very sad time.
Dad
Lots of great memories, planting flowers lots of them. christmas decorating every year , spending time with you to just talk. You never judged people and always had great ways to express yourself. Faith and Family was very important to you and you instilled that in us and i cannot thankyou enough for that. I will miss you so much you have been a very special person in my life. I wont say good bye but until we meet again
where we are promised a place in heaven.
love ya & miss you
Mary
Dad has given my family so many memories that I can not list them all would need the biggest book in the world for that. But he has taught me and showed me is lots. But the one I really treasure is Easter Sunday he got us all in a room and told us he was leaving and that what we all need to know is that it dont matter what your last name is, how much money you make, or what you have the most important thing in life is FAMILY. And that when times will get hard for us to know that he would be up there and right by our side to get thu what life thows us. He will always be my hero and my rock. I loved him so much
Oh Grandpa where do i start .... I miss you so much! From little on you were my hero always had a smile on your face no matter how much pain you were in. You always made the day alot brighter just by your smile and caring touch you taught me many great things that I will forever carry on never did you judge anyone and you knew exactly what to say when things got hard and i felt like i couldnt carry on. Many many memories between camp susan, being at your house each and everyday from little on, living with you, and of course our car rides... thank goodness that car cant talk we would be in alot of trouble :) Love you always and forever grandpa!
Jake will be missed by many, he brightened the lives of many. I was blessed to be invited to Canada many times and enjoyed every time I joined the Waldvogel clan at Trout River Lodge. I especially remember driving the boat for Jake and Gordon with both of them taking their "wardrobe" of rainsuits, heavy clothes, etc, etc... Not much room left in the boat. Also the time we saw the bear swimming across the river, and we pulled up anchor and I raced toward it. I got within about 20-30 yards of the bear before it made it to shore. Of course Jake often reminded me that I was in the back of the boat and he was in the front, closest to the bear!!
Our "U-Pickem" group for the NFL season won't be the same without "Pepper" showing everyone how to pick the winners.
He will also be sadly missed at the Resch Family Campout. We all enjoyed seeing Jake there and especially enjoyed watching him play in the "corn-hole" tournament.
In your family's time of sorrow, I hope you all take comfort in knowing that he was a very special man and will be missed by everyone he touched. God Bless!!
Uncle Jake will be missed. As I child I remember running across the street to play when we would visit Grandma and Grandpa's and Uncle Jake being so much fun to be around. As a teenager, he showed us how to dig worms and like it. As an adult, he was always positive and some of my best Christmas memories include a picture of the Christmas tree that I was able to get from Uncle Jim. My heart is sad but I know he and my mom are catching up in heaven. I will miss you Uncle Jim!
Some people always found a way to get the Royal treatment, and I suspect the same thing is happening now.
Hi Dad,
It's been two days now since you passed, i can tell you that we are all missing you greatly and we have big hole in heart. We will all be ok, we just wanted to say thank you for everything you have done for each one of us. You had a special relationship with each of us and we can only hope to live and follow the example you showed us, we will miss your smile always. I want you to know that we will keep our promise to you. Love You Dad
Grandpa - You have been an inspiration to all those you have encountered in your life here on Earth. Of all of the things you have taught us, the most important were family, faith, opportunities, and laughter. Family will always be there for you and no matter what, we need to stick together, as difficult as that may be at times. Faith of course goes without question - you have always been a man of God and without question or hesitation, have entrusted your life in Him and have encouraged us all to do the same. Thirdly, opportunities. Life can pass us by quickly, and we need to make sure we embrace every opportunity that comes our way-especially when it means spending that extra time with family. And finally, laughter......there are so many memories that I have where I laugh until tears come to my eyes. Like the time you got in trouble for moving the picnic table, or all the time you would "sneak" candy or ice cream, to the "2 otta 3 ain't bad". Your humility and faith will forever be stamped in our lives and for that, please know that Heaven gained an angel that far surpasses most. We love you grandpa - forever and always!!!
Grandpa thanks for all the wonderful memories you will always be there in our heart. One thing I will always remember from you is that no matter how hard it gets never give up there's light and the end of the tunnel. Take care Boss we love ya
love always
Corey #2
Dear Grandpa Jake your smiles, laughs, and memories will forever stay in all of our hearts. You are me Hero, my inspiration to me, and all who knew you. I am so blessed to have you as my grandparent and all of the memories of you and me will never fade away. You are such a great guy with a bit of a sweet tooth that I will surely never forget! I remember coming over when I was little and you would always give me candy no matter how many times my parents said no. Also when we went hunting that was by far the greatest time I had with you, I will cherish that forever. Even though you wont be sitting with us in the hunting cabin I know you will be there watching over us. Grandpa Jake words cannot express how much I love you! We will eventually meet meet again in Gods Kingdom! I love you grandpa! "Blessed is the man who trusts in the lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence" - Jeremiah 17:7
Grandpa was such a great man, one that I look up to and a man that I hope to be in my life. He truely was an inspiration to us all. I always tried to take the time to enjoy with him the things he loved to do- hunting, fishing, plating cards, trips to the cabin, trapping minnows, firewood, and much more. These memories will be cherished forever. He will be forever missed in so many ways. I LOVE YOU GRANDPA.
Brian
Grandpa truely enjoyed his trips and time in Canada on the annual fishing trip. It was time well spent with family and friends. I know he will still make the annual trip with us. He will be missed but will always be there with us
Grandpa, You are an inspiration to us. Thank you for all the wonderful memories you created that we cherish. Your love, faith, strength, and values have taught us the right way to live. I love how he would light up every time family visited, candy (it would mysteriously show up everywhere!), fishing, hunting, the list goes on and on, he was such a happy and blessed man. His smile melted our hearts. He absolutely loved life and treasured his family. We're going to miss you so much. We LOVE you!!
Grandma and Grandpa's love for each other
Jake was so one of a kind special. Always a kind word and a great smile. He will certainly be missed, but it is great being able to see a little of him in each one of you.
Jim & Paula Gallenberg
Grandpa you are and always will be a true hero and idol.Your faith,kindness,and family values are unforgettable.We have had many good times together and with family members.I will always remember times in canada,at the cabin,cribbage games,camp susan and your support for your Witt-Birn and Antigo wrestling grandsons.You will always be in my eyes the worlds toughest man. You went through so much in your life but with faith you always stayed positive and saw the brighter side of things.Thanks for being and showing what family is all about. Love ya gramps
Grandpa you will be forever and always be in my heart. You were the best grandpa anyone could ask for you had this thing called unconditional love whatever us grandkids did or how much trouble we had got into you never yelled, that was grandma's job. I was fortunate to live next door to you when I was younger, and those are times I will cherish forever. I will never forget all the good memories we had together going to the cabin, worm digging, and of course the one I will never forget is when I had two bunnies little did we know that they were a girl and boy and had 8 baby bunnies. When they got out sure enough I would come crying to you saying HELP ME! You always did with your fishing net running around the yard. Grandpa I love you so much we'll meet again one day in the world's best place, heaven.
Dear Barbara and family. Jake was an inspiration to all that knew him. I babysat for your children when I was 14 for the summer. He was always so upbear and encouraging. He will be missed by all. May you all know peace and comfort.
Dad's first plane ride to Canada
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