David H. Fox

David Harvey Fox, age 84 of Ripon, passed away peacefully Sunday July 30, 2023 at Barrett House in Markesan surrounded by his family.

David was born on March 29, 1939, in Ripon to Harvey and Irma (Lenz) Fox. He graduated from Markesan High School in 1956, and went on to serve our country in the United States Army from 1959-1961. He was stationed in Korea for 13 months with others from Markesan including his brother-in-law, David Kelm.

David married Betty Kelm on April 29, 1961, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Manchester. They moved to Ripon, and David worked at the Green Giant Company. He eventually became a senior office supervisor, working in Rosendale and Ripon for 32 years until his retirement in 1993. He always said that his only regret was that he didn’t retire earlier!

In 1970, David and Betty bought farmland and built a house in rural Ripon, which is when David started his 51 year farming career. Farming was his lifelong passion. He loved crop farming and especially loved eating sweet corn from his fields, an enthusiasm he passed on to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

David was a lifelong member of EUB / Immanuel United Methodist Church in Ripon, where he served on numerous committees. He was a board member of the Ripon Co-op and Markesan Co-op.

In addition to farming, David enjoyed country music; David and Betty spent many summers attending various country music festivals and county fair shows around the area. They also enjoyed attending Ripon and Markesan High School basketball games, following the teams even after their children were graduated. He loved old cars and tractors and enjoyed attending various car shows and driving in local tractor cruises. David and Betty enjoyed traveling, making trips out west, out east, to Canada, Hawaii, and the Bahamas. However, his favorite vacation spot was the beaches of Florida. Their first trip there was in 1964, and his last trip was this past Christmas (2022) with all 20 of his family members.

David is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty of Ripon, WI; daughters, Carla (Timothy) Kramoris of Slinger, WI, Teresa (Travis Oenning) of Rochester, MN, and Tanya (Todd) Abraham of Ripon, WI; grandchildren, Brenna (Dan) Salsieder, Mitchell (Macy) Kramoris, Alicia, Zachary and Jacob Abraham, and Paige and Dana Oenning; great-grandchildren, Owen, Everly and Quinn Salsieder and sister, Rev. Sharon Johnson of Battle Lake, MN. He is further survived by several cousins; nieces; nephews; and many friends.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Irma Fox; parents-in-law, Clifford and Velma Kelm; brother-in-law, Rev. Lavern Johnson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Carol Kelm; niece, Michelle Johnson and nephew, Brian Kelm.

Visitation for David will be held from 12:00 - 2:00 pm on Sunday August 13, 2023 at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 401 W. Fond du lac St. Ripon.

Funeral service for David will follow at 2:00 pm with Rev. Dr. Heather Brewer officiating. Burial will take place at Reeds Corners Bethel Cemetery, W12985 Reeds Corners Rd.,  Ripon, with a final salute and full military honors. A light lunch will be served between the funeral and burial.

David’s family would like to thank the staff at the Barrett House in Markesan for the loving care that they showed David the past seven months. If desired, memorials in David’s memory can be made to Immanuel United Methodist Church, 401 W. Fond du Lac St., Ripon, WI 54971 or The Barrett House, 185 E. John St., Markesan, WI 53946.