Virgil Lester Fowler, 86, of Tomah died Monday, July 25, 2011, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Tomah, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born July 12, 1925, to Clayton and Edith (Griffin) Fowler in Mather, Wis. He was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic faith at St. Mary Catholic Church, Tomah. He attended Richland Center High School.
After high school, Virgil enlisted in the United States Navy. He served for four years as a radio operator, from 1943–46. He flew patrol in the Atlantic coastal waters.
He was united in marriage to Bertha Mae Friedl on Dec. 29, 1944. They renewed their wedding vows March 11, 1950, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Together they lived in Pardeeville, Wyeville, Wilton and Ontario before residing in Tomah.
Virgil started working with the Veterans Administration in 1947, when it first opened, as a nursing assistant and later became one of the drug and alcohol counselors for the Tomah V.A. He retired in 1980. Virgil’s dedication to his fellow veterans and others was a tribute to his selfless ability to help others.
In retirement, Virgil enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed gardening, woodworking and helping others. He continued to help people with their drug and alcohol addictions well after his retirement.
Virgil was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Immaculate Church in Tomah and St. John the Baptist Church in Wilton. He was a member of the Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post 201. Virgil was a devoted husband and a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Bertha; his children, Alan (Peggy) of Janesville, Nikki (David) Houzner of Elroy, Kay (David) Larson of Tomah, Todd of Tomah, Duane of Tomah, Dennis (Tracy) of Camp Douglas and Lynn (David) Nuccio of New Berlin, Wis.; and a brother, Harold (June) of Warrens.
He is further survived by 30 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, John; his parents; and a brother, Donald Fowler.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 28, at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Tomah. Monsignor Richard W. Gilles will celebrate, and Father Ivan Torres will con-celebrate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, town of Scott, with military honors.
Relative and friends are invited to call from 4–8 p.m. Wednesday at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the church. A prayer service will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
