December 22, 2020 – Newburg, WI – Richard E. Wilger, 76, of Newburg passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at his residence. He was born August 3, 1944 in Washington County to Nicholas and Meta (nee Gierach) Wilger.
On October 5, 1968 Richard was united in marriage to Kathleen A. Wollner at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Newburg.
Richard proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1962 until 1965 and was stationed in Germany. Following his discharge he started working as a maintenance electrician for numerous companies, retiring from Delphi.
He was a member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Newburg and was a member of the Newburg Fire Department for over 50 years. Rich belonged to IBEW Local 663, the Landt-Thiel post 470 American Legion in Saukville and the West Bend Kettle Trailblazers snowmobile club. He also was a Little League coach and a snowmobile instructor. Rich enjoyed travelling and playing sheepshead and liked to spend time outside hunting, golfing and snowmobiling.
Family was very important to Rich. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending their activities.
Richard is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathleen and 3 children: Brian (Cathy) Wilger of Port Washington, Gary (Susan) Wilger of Jackson and Mike Wilger of Newburg. He is further survived by his 5 grandchildren: Abigaile Wilger, Jacob Wilger, Theresa Wilger, Olivia Wilger and Adam Wilger, his siblings: Edward (Lorna) Wilger of Newburg and Jean (Kenneth) Anderson of Henderson NV, his sister-in-law Carol Wollner of Newburg, nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Nicholas and Meta Wilger and Kathleen’s parents Julius and Gertrude Wollner.
Private family services will be held with burial following in St. John’s Cemetery in Newburg. In lieu of flowers memorials to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Newburg or the Newburg Fire Department are appreciated.
Kathy and family would like to extend a special Thank You to Dr. Scot Wilfong, the Newburg Rescue Squad and the staff at Cedarburg Dialysis for their care, compassion, comfort and support given to Richard.
The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving the family.