Carl E. Heussner

Carl Edward Heussner was born into this world a twin on Aug. 19, 1941, in Joliet, Ill., the third of eight children of William and Antoinette (Mathers) Heussner. A longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, Wisc., he left us this past Friday evening, March 15, 2013 -- his family by his side -- after a valiant battle with cancer.

He married his wife, Priscilla (Knight), in 1961 after a one-year courtship when he was on leave from the National Guard. Together they raised five children, Christine (Alton) Yeager, Melanie Wallace, Catherine (Thomas) Hannes, William (Beth) Heussner and Benjamin (Trina) Heussner.

He taught his children the importance of diligence, quality, honesty, humor, loyalty, punctuality and talking it out" and they will forget neither his one-liner words of wisdom nor the times spent with the most genuine and good-hearted person they will ever know.

To his grandchildren -- Jessica, Billy, Bailey, Nolan, Carson, Ruby, Daisy and Grant -- Carl was a builder of fairy castles, a beloved fishing mentor, and an equally excited travel companion during horseback riding trips and excursions to the zoo, museum and circus.

As a child, Carl enjoyed farming and raised geese and sheep. A lover of the automobile, he saved his money to buy his first car at age 15 and later worked for General Motors in Janesville for 38 years.

Carl was also known for his love of gardening, making annual batches of sauerkraut and giving copious amounts of asparagus to family, friends and neighbors. But he may be best known for his flowers that were often the subject of Priscillas colored pencil drawings. At one particular art show, Carl told his wife, Im so proud to have my name on your pictures.

He was a devout member of St. Joseph Catholic Church for 49 years and was involved with the Knights of Columbus, the Family Fair, ushering and the construction of the new church.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, brother John and sister Joan.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, he is survived by brothers Daniel (Joyce), Robert and Ronald (Joyce); sisters Carol Wright (his twin) and Betty (Dave) Waldmann; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1660 Endl Blvd. in Fort Atkinson. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 18 at St. Joseph Catholic Church and from 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the church until time of service. Burial will take place in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

The family has asked that those who wish to remember Carl through charitable contributions donate to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to Rainbow Hospice Care.

The Dunlap Memorial Home is assisting the family.

www.dunlapmemorialhome.com

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