William Joseph Meinholz

Ashton -- William Joseph Meinholz, age 92, of Ashton, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, October 22, 2010. Wm was born at home in Ashton on January 25, 1918.   He was the youngest and last surviving child of ten, born to Mathias and Magdalina (Bronner) Meinholz.   He attended St. Peter Catholic Church and School in Ashton, where he was a life long member.   He continued his education at Middleton High School, and then at UW Farm Short Course, graduating in 1940.   Wm came back to farm with his mother and brothers, until he met and married his sweetie, Dorothy Ann Miller, daughter of Louie and Mathilda (Kurth) Miller on May 9, 1946 at St. Aloyisius in Sauk City. Wm and Dorothy then started farming on their own with a dairy herd and a certified seed business, specializing in Ladina Clover seed and seed oats.   They were blessed with six sons, some of which continue the family farm.   Wm was a steward of the land, being progressive in bringing new and innovative ideas to the art of farming and conserving the land. Wm was a director member of Middleton Insurance Company, Federal Land Bank and AMPI.   He was a member of Farm Bureau, Wis. Foundation Certified Seed Association, Willow Farms Milk Co-op, Knights of Columbus-4th Degree and The Catholic Knights.   He also was the sexton of the St. Peter Catholic Church Cemetery for 20 years. William is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy; their sons, Louie (Joanne), Walter ( Nancy), Albert (Linda), Eugene (Jenny) and Art (Lori); 21 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Ceil Endres and Pat Miller. In addition to his parents, William was preceded in death by a son, Raymond; brothers and sisters, Sister M. Lenora, Teresa (Louie) Meier, John (Emma), Sister M. Lucida, Ambrose (Julia), Sister M. Melania, Rose (John) Laufenberg, Anthony (Genevieve) and Edward (Angela). The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Sophia (Suvd Doyod) and Jinja (Doljinjav Chagnaadorj) for their extraordinary care and love, as well as to Maryellen and Roger Frey and HospiceCare, Inc. for their support during this difficult time. A visitation will be held Monday, October 25, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7121 Cty Trnk K, Middleton, WI 53562.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St Peter Catholic Church.   A visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.