John L. Veum

John L. Veum, age 64, passed away on June 4, 2026, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital from complications following a second liver transplant. He was born on June 18, 1961, to Owen and Eunice Veum.

John grew up as one of seven children and graduated from Stoughton High School. After high school, he worked alongside his father and brother Kenny, raising tobacco and milking cows. He deeply loved farm life and the hard work it required.

In July 1987, John married Teresa Wethal. Together they shared 29 years of marriage and raised two exceptional daughters. Being a father was one of John’s greatest joys. He excelled at being a dad and instilled in his daughters a love for farming, hard work, and perseverance that they carry with them today.

John also had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and taught his girls to dream big. After selling his cows, he started his own lawn and landscaping business. Even then, the farm could never stay empty for long. What began as a 4-H project with three ewes quickly grew into a flock of more than 75 sheep. John loved watching his daughters grow up showing dairy cattle, pigs and sheep.

His greatest and proudest role was becoming “Papa John” to his five grandchildren. He will be remembered for his many visits with them, often bringing unique trinkets, Dove chocolates (or other candy), and Powerade.

Later in life, John took great pride in gardening, landscaping, and working in maintenance at Meier Trucking.

During the final 10 months of his life, John spent precious time with his daughters and grandchildren. Family was always paramount to him, and to all of his nieces and nephews on both the Veum and Wethal sides, you meant so much to him.

John is survived by his two daughters, Amber (Bryce) Sime and Amanda (Jamison) McNeely; special friend, Catherine Knuteson; six siblings, Thomas Veum, Mary (Dwight) Pugh, Christine (Duane) Ring, Jean Nordlie, Ann Veum, and Kenny (Cindy) Veum; five grandchildren, Avery, Adalyn, Ellis, Bowen, and Chet; as well as many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Mike Nordlie; sister-in-law, Gladys Veum; niece-in-law, Rachel Veum; and great niece, Caitlyn Lamb.

John’s family would like to thank the University of Wisconsin Transplant Department and ICU team for their exceptional care and compassion.

A celebration of life will be held on July 9, 2026, from 4-7 pm, with speeches at 5:30, at Halverson’s Everything Nice in Stoughton.