James E. Gaeu
James E. Gaeu, age 74, of Merrill, passed away on Monday, August 4, 2014, at U.W. Hospital, Madison.
Jim was born December 23, 1939, in the Town of Scott, son of Ella (Barttelt) Gaeu and the late Edwin Gaeu. He married Doreen Wendt on October 8, 1960, in the Town of Hamburg. She survives. Jim was a fourth generation Dairy Farmer on the Gaeu Family homestead, “Park Avenue Dairy.” Jim was very active in his community and in the farming community. He was on the Board of Directors of Park City Credit Union, Merrill, and was a past chairman of the board. Jim served on the boards of both the DHI and NDHIA. He was the Town of Scott Clerk for 19 years, and served on the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors. Jim served on the boards of Consumers Co-op, Merrill, and the Select Sires. Jim was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Town of Maine and had been an Elder and past church president. Jim and Doreen traveled extensively, either to visit family or for the many boards he served on. Jim loved to polka dance with his wife Doreen who was his dancing partner for almost 54 years. He also enjoyed attending plays and dinner theaters with her. Jim enjoyed their card club and watching Packer and Badger football. Jim was blessed the past 12 years as a donor recipient due to the loving generosity of his niece, Linda Klebenow-Dorn. In Jim’s memory, a memorial fund is being established for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Research.
Survivors include his wife, Doreen Gaeu, Merrill; his mother, Ella Gaeu, Merrill; one daughter, Connie Fryman, Hebron, KY; one son, Terry Gaeu (with fiancée, Jill Rydell), Merrill; eight grandchildren, Elisa Harrer, Michael Fryman, Mikayla Fryman, Matthew Fryman, Nick Gaeu, Michelle Gaeu, Cohrtney Bond, and Kaleigh Schaefer; one sister, LuAnn (Wayne) Hanke, Marathon; and one brother, Daniel (Sally) Gaeu, Hudson, WI. Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Tami Kay Gaeu; his father, Edwin Gaeu; and his mother and father-in law, Alvin and Eleanor Wendt.
The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 9, 2014, at Faith Lutheran Church, Town of Maine. The Rev. Kevin Hoogland will officiate. Burial will follow in Faith Cemetery – West, Town of Scott. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and at the church on Saturday after 9:00 a.m.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com