| Notes |
- David John Derfus, 82 of Neenah, passed from this earth into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior surrounded by his family on January 22, 2013 at 10:15 p.m. Dave was born on July 9, 1930 to John and Lucy (Otto) Derfus of Sherwood, Wisconsin.
Dave graduated from Kaukauna High School in 1949 and began his career in the grocery business followed by a lifetime career as a respected Advertising Account Executive for newspapers throughout the Fox River Valley. He was exceptional at designing promotional graphics before the luxury of computer-automated design existed. Dave was a member of the Knights of Columbus, past president and lifetime member of the MacDowell Male Chorus, 13-year Director of St. Patrick Senior Choir, long-time member of St. Mary Senior Choir and a spontaneous singer of Latin hymns (regardless of his surroundings!). He also enjoyed participation in several Riverside Players' production and Ecumenical Church Choirs in the area. Retiring from the newspaper industry in 1985, he worked for Lawrence University until 1992.
On August 4, 1951 Dave married Lois Lettau, (how he loved his "Louie") at St. Mary Catholic Church in Kaukauna. Shortly thereafter, the couple purchased their "dream home" and became lifelong residents of Neenah's Doty Island. It was there that they raised four wonderful children and several cherished pets along the way. (Dave loved dogs!)
Dave had a passion for developing his land and second home "up north" on the Embarrass River in Caroline, Wisconsin. He loved landscaping, carpentry, lawn mowing, gardening, painting, staining, tree & bush trimming, car washing and waxing and just about any other duty that others would view as "dreaded tasks." An an avid Green Bay Packers fan and season ticket holder for nearly 50 years, Dave was proud to say that he attended and survived the "ice bowl" on December 31, 1967.
Dave is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Lois; his daughters Diane (Porsch), East Amherst, NY and Nancy (Thomas) Breaker, his sons Mark Derfus and David (Kathy Van Alstine) Derfus, granddaughter Kayla (Derfus) Collier, all of Neenah, sisters and brothers-in-law: Marion (Lettau) Woldt, E. Paul (Monica) Lettau, Eileen (Wally) Knaack, Kenneth Lettau, Dorothy Batley, Jan (Gary) Knoke, Jim (Sherri) Lettau and Marcella (Boehnlein) Derfus along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his Parents; Mother and Father-in-Law, Pauline (Giesbers) and Ernest Lettau, Kaukauna; sisters Sally (William) Marx, Vera (Gary) Brauer, brother Geraine, brothers-in-law James Bathley, Richard Lettau, Lawrence "Bud" Woldt, sister-in-law Helen (Trader) Lettau and Pat (Elstead) Lettau.
A Catholic Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Norman Krutzik (long-time family friend) at St. Mary Catholic Church, 528 Second St., Menasha, Wisconsin at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2013. The visitation will take place at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the St. Mary Church Choir music program.
Interment will take place at St. Mary Cemetery, Kaukauna at a later date.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and caretakers at St. Paul Elder Care Services, (Kaukauna), St. Elizabeth Hospital (Appleton), Park View Health Center (Oshkosh), Theda Clark Medical Center (Neenah) and especially Dr. Raman Ashta (Neenah) and Dr. Mark Riedy (South Carolina) for their incredible care and concern.
Westgor Funeral Home
205 W. Doty Ave.
Neenah 722-7151
Online Condolences
www.westgorfuneralhomes.com
Thanks, "Dad", for teaching us the true meaning of compassion through your wonderful life-long examples. You will be greatly missed by all.
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent from January 24 to January 25, 2013
|
1930 - 2013 (82 years)
