Edward J. Pingel, 89, of Wilton died Monday, July 23, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Nov. 15, 1922, to Edward C. and Elisa “Lizzie” (Gerke) Pingel on the home farm in the town of Wilton. He attended the Sunny Ridge Country School. On June 15, 1946, Ed was united in marriage to Ruth Wilson at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church. She preceded him in death May 9, 2006. Together they farmed on the Pingel family farm for more than 60 years. The farm has been in the Pingel name since 1863. He was a hard worker and enjoyed farming, especially in the fall of the year, during combining time. Edward hauled milk for several years; he also worked at the Wilton Co-op and, in his later years, as a groundskeeper for the Hiawatha Golf Course.
He enjoyed watching the Milwaukee Brewers and Western movies. He enjoyed polka music and going to polka dances. He was a lifelong, faithful member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and was a former member of the church council and a member of the Men’s Club. He was a member of the Monroe County Guernsey Breeders and a member of the Senior Center when he would winter in Florida, plus he was a member of the Sunny Ridge School Board and served as the treasurer for the Township of Wilton. He had a great sense of humor and was known for pulling pranks on his coworkers. Ed was a devoted husband and a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his children, Cheryl Pingel of MacClenny, Fla., Darrell (Colleen) Pingel of Kendall, Ron (Rosie) Pingel, Gary (Dawn) Pingel, both of Wilton, and Elisa “EJ” (Tom) Powell of Tomah; 11 grandchildren, Dustin (Molly) Powell, Daron (Samantha) Pingel, Bobbie (Dan) Nading, Brendan (special friend Nicole Gilbertson) Pingel, Tuesday (Ty Eness) Pingel, Cody Pingel, Jesse Pingel, Willow Rose Pingel, Angela Ziebell, Brandon Ziebell and Jasmine Pingel; seven great-grandchildren, Taylor, Toby, Hayley, Cayden, Parker, Hudson and Aubrey; a sister-in-law, Joan Hudson of Whiting, Ind.; and many other nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruth; and several brothers and sisters.
A funeral service was Thursday, July 26, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tomah. Pastor Curt S. Backhaus officiated. Burial was in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends were invited to call from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah, and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Brock Millet and the staff at the Mayo Healthcare System – La Crosse for their fine care of Edward.
