Arthur Art Edward Meyer, age 92, of rural Ripon, WI and recently of Copperleaf Village of Ripon, passed away on Tuesday, January 29, 2019.
Art was born July 3rd, 1926, the son and youngest child of Edward and Hattie (Witt) Meyer. He lived his entire life Northwest of Ripon at the intersection known as 6-Mile Corner located in the Brooklyn and Berlin townships, Green Lake County.
Art attended grade school at McConnell Country School; a one-room school house grades 1 8, and then attended ½ year at Ripon High School. From there he became a student of rural life and was receptive to new farm technologies and practice.
On November 18, 1949, Art married Barbara Anne Bossenbroek of Brandon WI. They were married at the Brandon Reformed Church. Art and Barbara farmed and raised their family on 6-Mile Corner for 69 years.
After a lifetime of hard work, creating a beautiful dairy farm, the day came when the cows were sold and Art enjoyed having more time to spend with his family, traveling, square dancing, woodworking, lathe work and building benches. He loved his birds and built many blue bird houses.
For many years Art and Barb hosted events in the Meyer Barn. Weddings, reunions and church hayrides allowed many to experience the architecture of the barn and the rural setting that Art so loved.
Sunday meant going to church! Art was a life-long member of Immanuel United Methodist Church. He was part of the building committee when the new church was constructed in 1957. Art said grace before every family meal. All meals were eaten at the table and our plates were clean! After church and Sunday dinner, he enjoyed family afternoon drives listening to Tennessee Ernie Ford and Johnny Cash. Our drives usually ended with a stop for a piece of pie, chocolate malt, a root beer or ice-cream cone!
Art witnessed many changes of farming, specifically from using two teams of horses: Dick and Barney, and Duke and Jerry (4-horse power) to 261 horse power, a 4690 Case tractor; his last tractor purchased in the 80s.
Arts quick wit, readiness to be a part of a joke, telling of a favorite story and humility to admit to doing silly things made for a lot of laughter.
Art loved the land, his animals, sunrises and sunsets; passing this love on to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is the last of an era in this extended neighborhood of farmers.
Thank you Dad for giving us a wonderful childhood, loving memories of the farm, your valued guidance and unmatched work ethic- all of which have made us a part of who we are. We love you and miss you Dad! Ann, John, Marcia, Keith, Hope and Kim.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Barbara Meyer of Green Lake, WI; six children, Ann (Jim) Mijatovich of Green Lake, WI, John (special friend, Shandra) Meyer of Montello, WI, Marcia (Jeff) Lindow of Chili, WI, Keith Meyer of Ripon, WI, Hope (Jeff) Luedtke of Andover, MN and Kim (Steve) Michaelson of Bellville, OH; 12 grandchildren, Sarah (Matt) Willett of Ripon, WI, Nick (Molly) Mijatovich of Allouez, WI, Gus (Kat) Lindow of Stevens Point, WI, Ben (Liliya) Lindow of St. Paul, MN, Maren Lindow of Plover, WI, Jeremy (Aimie) Meyer of Fond du Lac, WI, Kevin (Megan) Meyer of Menasha, WI, Robyn (Robert) Kaufman of Brandon, WI, Justin (Amy) Meyer of Berlin, WI, Adi (Darren) McDonald of Andover, MN, Tahlia (Jason) Aarstad of Klamath Falls, OR and Hannah (Peter) Degallier of Minneapolis, MN and 17 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his dear sister and brother-in-law, Minerva (Sam) Batt of Columbus, WI, sister-in-law, Helen Little of Brandon, WI, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Erv and Marilyn Page Schmidt of Fox Lake, WI, brother-n-law and sister-in-law, Hank and Judy Bossenbroek of Plattville, WI and brother-n-law and sister-in-law, David and Barbara Bossenbroek of Fond du Lac, WI and many nieces, nephews and friends. Art was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Hattie Meyer; sister and brother-in-law, Ray and Evelyn Brasch; sister and brother-in-law, LaVerne and Robert Kenas; in-laws, John and Marie Bossenbroek; sister-in-law, Karen Krause; two brother-in-laws, Joe Little and Marland Page and sister-in-law, Iola Bossenbroek.
Visitation for Arthur will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2019, from 9 11:00 am at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 401 W. Fond du Lac St., Ripon, WI 54971.
Memorial Service for Arthur will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2019, at 11:00 am with Reverend Harsha K. Kotian officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Ripon at a later date. A memorial is being established in Arthurs name.
The family is especially grateful to the wonderful people who have provided care for Art in the last few years of his life. Their love and devotion will always be remembered.
Thank you to Crystal Stowe at Community Options, Green Lake; Denise Nelson and her team at T.L.C. Home Care, Berlin; the entire staff at Copperleaf Village of Ripon; Leslie and the team at Agnesian Hospice Hope, Green Lake; Scott Faust and Ryan Klingbeil at Modern Rentals, Ripon; our church family at IMUC, Ripon and the many wonderful extended family members, neighbors and friends who have been a tremendous help to our family.
Please visit www.butzinmarchant.com to send online condolences.