Obituary of Willard F. Kussman

Willard "Will" F. Kussman, 81, Wisconsin Rapids, died Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at Wisconsin Rapids Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Services will be held at a later date at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Wisconsin Rapids. Will was born in Amherst, WI on June 8, 1932 to Allen and Regina (Konopacki) Kussman. In 1950 he graduated from Amherst High School and continued his education at Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. Will married Shirley Kauth on January 17, 1953 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Will began his employment at Consolidated Papers Inc. in Wisconsin Rapids as an electrician. He worked his way up the ladder and retired from Consolidated as an electrical superintendent in 1990 after 35 years of service. He served his country in the Army from 1953 to 1955. Will was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. His ministry was dedicated to the property and financial committee. For several years Will and Shirley spent their winters in Pharr, Texas where Will volunteered for the orphanage in Renosa, Mexico and enjoyed being santa at the Migrant Head Start. The couple was blessed with the ability to visit all 50 states and other countries such as Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Will was a very giving person and took great joy in helping others. He also was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, camping with his family, and golfing. Survivors include his wife, Shirley; six children: Beth (Joe) Horwath, West Allis, WI; Gary (Noriko) Kussman, Redondo Beach, CA; Keith Kussman, Houston, TX; Cheryl (Jeff) Sisco, Wisconsin Rapids, WI; Amy (Mike) Brandl, Genesse, WI; Lisa (Ben) Green, Overland Park, KS; nine grandchildren: Andy (Aki), Melissa, Matthew (Lindsey), Ben, Isaiah, Noah, Jenna, Anna, and Narah; two great-grandchildren: Luke and Mac; brothers: Gene (Shirley) Kussman, Wisconsin Rapids, WI; John (Judy) Kussman, Columbus, IN; sister-in-law: Marge Kussman, Palm Desert, CA; in-laws: Wayne Kauth, Chicago; Lee Kauth, Wisconsin Rapids; and Doris Romag, Wisconsin Rapids. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Richard. Memorials may be designated to: Compassion International, 12290 Voyager Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO. 80997; www.compassion.com; or to: Univ. of Washington Foundation-UW Medicine Neutropenia Research Fund, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Rm. AA522, Seattle, WA 98195-6422, www.giving.uw.edu; or to: Holt International, P.O. Box 2880, Eugene, Or 97402, www.hotelinternational.org.