Herman Liegel

Madison - Herman D. Liegel, 98, passed away peacefully at Oakwood Village on Monday, March 23, 2015.

He was born in the Town of Franklin (Plain, Wisconsin) on July 21, 1916 to Herman and Victoria (Brickl) Liegel. In 1936 he graduated from the University of Wisconsin Dairy School as a licensed cheese maker. He was subsequently hired at the Irish Valley Cheese Factory in Plain, Wisconsin which he operated until 1938 when he bought Cedar Grove Cheese Factory in Plain. He married Arlene Schweiss September 6, 1939 at St. Luke's Church in Plain; they operated Cedar Grove Cheese Factory until they moved to Madison, Wisconsin in November 1948. In Madison, Herman was employed by Esser Meats and then at Rennebohm Drug Stores. He retired from Rennebohm-Walgreens as the meat department manager and buyer in 1981.

He was a charter member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Court 4527, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He was a kind man, had many friends, and enjoyed helping others. He enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by two sons: Allen (Joan) Liegel of Madison and Dr. Steven Liegel (Carol) of Eau Claire, six grandchildren: Christopher (Mallory O'Brien), Kevin, Bruce, Ryan (Sara), Eric and Amy Liegel, and two great grandchildren: Riley and Julia Clare Liegel. He is also survived by a sister, Rose Fingerhut and one brother, Luke Liegel, and by many special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, by his loving wife of 62 years, Arlene, and by four brothers: Reinold, Joseph, Alois, and Mike and by one sister, Marie.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 11 o'clock at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE, 401 South Owen Drive. Msgr. Kenneth J. Fiedler will officiate. Friends may greet the family from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass on Wednesday. Burial will be held at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Herman's name to Our Lady Queen of Peace School Endowment Fund, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, WI 53711, Agrace HospiceCare Inc. Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, or to the charity of your choice.

The family wants to thank the staff at Covenant Oaks in Oakwood Village for the loving care that they provided for many years.


Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434