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Everyone at The Bullvine sends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Wisconsin Holstein Breeder William Hageman, Sr., who left this earth December 17th.
William H. “Bill” Hageman, 76, of Fond du Lac, passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2015, at St. Agnes Hospital. He was born August 4, 1939, in Fond du Lac, the son of Harold and Martha (Pinnow) Hageman. Bill was a 1957 graduate of L. P. Goodrich High School and then graduated in 1960 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course. On January 23, 1960, he married Saloah “Sodie” Schoepke at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oakfield. For over 30 years, Bill was fully engaged in one of his passions of breeding registered Holsteins which resulted in Hageman’s Holsteins being recognized worldwide. He served as director, vice-president, and president of the Fond du Lac County Holstein Association, and served on the Wisconsin Holstein Association board of directors for six years including one year as president. He received the Distinguished Dairyman Award in 1988 from the Wisconsin Holstein Association. He and his wife were selected Outstanding Young Couple in 1968 by Associated Milk Producers Incorporated. In 1970, Bill was chosen as Outstanding Young Farmer by the Fond du Lac Jaycees. After a successful complete dispersal of his herd he wanted to maintain his connection to agriculture, so he served as an independent animal nutrition consultant for Eden Farm Supply, Land O’ Lakes Dairy, and C.P. Feeds. For over 20 years he also proudly volunteered at World Dairy Expo. The foundation of his life was his faith. Bill could always be counted on to provide a wise word of guidance. His desire to share that faith and help others was the driving force behind the 23 years he served in the jail ministry of Fond du Lac County, Gideons International and an active member of Grace Reformed Church where he also served as an Elder.
Surviving is his beloved wife of 55 years, Sodie, a daughter, Susan (Daniel) Herlache of DeForest, WI, a son, William (Kelly) Hageman II of Rio, WI, and five grandchildren, Bryan Herlache (special friend Emma Sabel), Kristin (Jordan) Dimmer, Katelyn Herlache, and Justin and Lauren Hageman. He treasured and prayed for all of them daily. They were his pride and joy. His parents preceded him in death, along with his mother and father-in-law.
Visitation for William H. “Bill” Hageman will be on Monday, December 21, 2016, from 4 to 8 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, and again on Tuesday, December 22nd from 9 to 11 AM at Grace Reformed Church, 163 18th Street, Fond du Lac with services to follow at 11 AM. Rev. Barry Vegter will officiate and burial will follow in Rienzi Cemetery.
The family requests that memorials be directed to Grace Reformed Church, The Gideon’s International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800, or the Wisconsin Holstein Association Scholarship Fund, 902 8th Avenue, Baraboo, WI 53913.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the Fond du Lac Emergency Service staff and the Agnesian Emergency Room staff for their care, compassion and professionalism.
Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com.
