Obituary of Fred W. Orgel, Jr.

Fred W. Orgel, Jr., age 81, of Wisconsin Rapids, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, August 2, 2019.

A Celebration of Fred’s life will be held at Christian Life Fellowship in Port Edwards at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. Pastor Dean Anderson will officiate. Visitation will take place before the service beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the church. Full military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 9 of Wisconsin Rapids. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net.

Fred was born November 18, 1937 in Midlothian, IL to Fred and Josephine (Cumming) Orgel, Sr.  He attended school in Pittsville, WI graduating in 1956.  Fred married Lois Blanchard on May 16, 1959 in Marshfield, WI.  They were blessed with 60 years of wonderful memories together. Fred proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1960 where he was stationed in Long Beach, CA.

Fred was employed by Consoweld and Consolidated Papers in Wisconsin Rapids for more than 40 years. While employed, Fred and Lois became entrepreneurs when they purchased the Pittsville Hardware Store, which they owned and operated for 7 years. Fred enjoyed many outdoor activities. He particularly enjoyed whitetail deer hunting, fishing, making wood, the solitude of his son’s lake home, and being a part of God’s creation.  He also enjoyed every conceivable card game (Sudoko, Cribbage, Sheepshead, Bridge), playing golf, watching local and national sports, and being with his family. Fred was known for his willingness to serve, his genuine love for people, his mischievous spirit, and the thousands of miles he put on his scooter doing errands and looking for people to meet. Since retiring, Fred and Lois spent winters in Jupiter, FL and summers in Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

Fred is survived by his loving wife, Lois; his children: Mark (Tammy) Orgel of Eau Claire, WI, Jeff (Michael Johnson) Orgel of Minneapolis, MN and Kelly (Endre) Belter of Wautoma, WI; his grandchildren: Mark Orgel of Glendale, CA, Kate (Evan) Nelson of Eau Claire, WI, Isaiah Wahlstrom of San Francisco, CA, and Keara Wahlstrom of La Crosse, WI; and his great-grandchildren: Emma, Eli, and Adeline.  He is further survived by his brother, Calvin “Pete” (Charlene) Orgel of Plover, WI, and his sister, Lou Ann Sorrell of Milwaukee, WI. He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Josephine Orgel.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arrowhead Bible Camp in New Auburn, WI at www.abcamp.org.