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Willis Dexter Umland, age 99, of the town of Clayton, Larsen, Wisconsin died peacefully at Bridgewood Nursing Home in Neenah on Tuesday afternoon, December 15, 2015. He was born in the town of Winchester on January 2, 1916, to Albert and Laura (Nelson) Umland. On February 22, 1958, Willis married Leona Schmidt at Trinity Lutheran Church in Neenah. When he was 2 years old, Willis moved with his family to what is still his present home. He graduated from Royer School after 8 years of schooling. For all of his working life, Willis farmed a small dairy farm along with raising crops to feed the animals. He loved to watch TV programs about native people such as Native American Indians, along with football and baseball games and the Lawrence Welk Show. Baseball was one of Willis' great sports, and when he was younger he liked to bowl. He enjoyed reading until his eyesight became a hindrance. Since 1970 Willis has kept a daily journal and in the last year has still done so with the help of Leona doing the writing. Willis was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Winchester where he had served on the church council, and as a deacon and trustee.
Willis is survived by his wife of 57 years, Leona Umland; a son, Keith (Sandie) Umland, of Larsen; He loved his grandchildren and they are: step-grandson, Lance Olsen, and granddaughter, Viktoria Umland; niece, Karen (Gil) Herman, of Stoughton, Wisconsin; great-niece, Kimberly Herman, of Milwaukee; cousins, Mabel Smith, of Oshkosh; Marjorie Krings, of Winneconne; Chester Nelson, of Greenville; Carl Umlandt, of Manitowoc; Franklin Nelson, of Hortonville; Duane Nelson, of Canadian, Oklahoma; two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Marion and Gale Meartz, of Neenah; Eunice Schmidt, of Neenah; nieces and nephews, Phillip (Sharon) Zuberbier, of Appleton; Todd (Nancy) Ninman, of Madison; Kevin (Linda) Kilsdonk, of Marion, Iowa; and great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, and great-great-nephews.
Along with his parents, Willis was also preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Marvin Zuehlke, and two brothers and a sister-in-law, Russell and Beulah Umland, and Ernest Umland.
A visitation for family and friends will be on Monday, December 21, 2015, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church of Winchester, 8396 Steeple Hill Dr. Larsen, Wisconsin. A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 21 at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor Ted Johanson officiating. Cremation will follow and inurnment will be in the Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Winchester.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Willis' name may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or the Larsen/Winchester Lions Club.
The family wishes a warm thank you to Dr. Baltz and staff as Willis was their patient for many years; and to the nurses at Bridgewood and ThedaCare Hospice for the care given to him. Willis' family would also like to specially thank Sue and Eugene Doell for all of their help and special friendship.
If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.
Special thoughts from Willis: "I'm a truly blessed person with many friends who have been just great to me."