John Heiser

John Heiser, age 83, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at Agrace Hospice Care with his wife Sylvia at his side. John was born in Wausau, WI on September 21, 1931 to Lawrence and Margaret (Smith) Heiser. He was a 1949 graduate of Wausau High school. After high school, John served in the military with the Army Armored Division as a Second Lieutenant at Ft. Carson, CO. On September 10, 1955, John was united in marriage to Rosemary Schneider and together they had four sons. Rosemary preceded John in death on June 9, 1979. John attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1958 with a degree in Business/Insurance and he began his career with Employers Insurance of Wausau. In 1963, John joined Cuna Mutual Insurance where he worked for 28 years retiring in 1991 as the Executive Vice President of the CUMIS Division.

John married Sylvia Olund on February 12, 1983. John and Sylvia, lived, laughed and loved together. Together they also loved and embraced a large family. When they married, John with his three sons and Sylvia with her three daughters and one son, had fun with the notion that they formed "The Brady Bunch plus One."

John is survived by his wife, Sylvia; his sons: Tom (Colleen) Heiser, Ted (Ellen) Heiser, Bill (Katie) Heiser and stepchildren: Cindy (Scott) Leonard, Debbie Wetzel (Bob Schlicht), Sandi (Phil) Norsetter and Steve Olund. John had 14 grandchildren: Laura Lewis, Ben, Brian and Joe Heiser, Kevin Leonard, David and Karin Wetzel, Phil, Kyle, Nicole and Ryan Norsetter, Schaynna and Trinity Olund and Jade Becker. John was blessed with nine Great Grandchildren.

John is further survived by two brothers, Jim (Carol) Heiser, Paul (Patricia) Heiser, two sisters, Mary Lynett and Margaret (Jerry) Cooney. Brother in laws, Don (Mary) Schneider, John (Sharon) Rubin and sister in law Jan (Roger) Smed and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Rosemary, infant son Anthony and brother in laws Joe Lynett and Richard Schneider.
John enjoyed raising beagles and was an active member of the Wisconsin Beagle Club. He had several field champions. Some of John's closest and dearest friends were his Beagling Buddies with whom he shared countless hours of fun and laughter talking about dogs. John loved Badger sports, Packer football, and playing golf. He loved spending time with his family and watching his Grandchildren's sports.

John looked for the fun in life and he usually found it. He had a perpetual smile on his face and he loved to tell and hear a good joke. John was especially fond of stories and he was always ready to tell a funny story about his life experiences, which were many. When his end was near, John was asked what his obituary should say; He said quite simply, "John Died; Dog for sale." Dad, we honor your wish. He was quite the guy.

Per John's request, there will be no funeral service. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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