Willard H. Lamm, age 90, passed away peacefully at Cherry Meadows Hospice on July 28, 2017 related to Congestive Heart Failure. He was born in the (township of Ellington) near Hortonville on October 22, 1926 to the late Paul and Marie (Hofacker) Lamm. Willard graduated from Hortonville High School and then attended Appleton Vocational School studying mechanical drafting. On June 10, 1950 he married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia Reininger, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Hortonville.
While living in rural Hortonville, he both farmed and worked as a draftsman at the Four Wheel Drive in Clintonville. In 1967 Willard moved to Appleton with his wife and five children. He continued to work as a draftsman at Allis Chalmers, then Miller Electric, until his retirement. He was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church where he volunteered on the church cleaning and grounds crew. He also volunteered at Loaves and Fishes meal site.
Willard was an active, hardworking, analytical kind of guy. His love for the outdoors and nature continued his entire life. His past times included pheasant hunting; gardening (he was especially fond of onions) and watching the birds, squirrels and ducks feed in his back yard. Everyone who knew him became aware of his passion for fishing, or more clearly, catching fish. Making structures out of wood was another favorite activity. He especially liked to build (and then give away) BINGO wheels; wheel barrels; and geese lawn ornaments. Polka music, parades, and good food were other things he greatly enjoyed. He valued his faith, friends, and above all his family. We all hold many happy memories of him having a great time at family picnics and dinners. He always looked forward to the next family gathering.
Willard is survived by four daughters: Jane (Alvin) Grendzinski, Maplewood, MN, Betty (David) Hucek, Appleton, Nancy (Richard) Happ, New Bern, NC, and Donna (Raymond) Meyer, Larsen, WI; a son Richard (fiancé Yvonne) Lamm, Appleton; six grandchildren: Phillip (Darcy) Grendzinski, Chrystal, MN, Diane Grendzinski, Maplewood, MN, Brian Hucek, Madison, Sally Meyer, Oshkosh, Karen Meyer, Appleton and Shelly Meyer, Appleton; and a sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Lamm, De Pere. He is further survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia; three newborn daughters; his parents; his brothers Joseph Lamm and newborn brother Norman Lamm; mother and father-in-law William and Anna Reininger; and brother and sister-in-law Ervin and Loretta Platt.
A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 am on Friday, August 4, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2331 E. Lourdes Drive, Appleton with Father Zuleger officiating. Friends and relatives may visit at the church on Friday from 9 am until 10:45 am. Internment will take place at St. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Hortonville. A memorial fund has been established.
Willard’s family would like to express appreciation and thanks to his friends, relatives and neighbors who supported him after Mom passed away, and during his illness. Also, special thanks to Willard’s medical team: Dr. Aditya Rangbulla; Dr. Nancy Homburg; and the Cherry Meadows Hospice staff. Your compassion and skills were of comfort to Willard in his final months of life.
Good-bye for now Dad. We know you’ll be checking out the best fishing spots in heaven. We’re pretty certain that the fish are biting every day there, and also, there likely is no limit. We love you, and will miss you!
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