Greg L. Wehrle
Greg L. Wehrle, 70, of Mt. Hope, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2020, at the Lancaster Health Unit in Lancaster.
He was born on Feb. 8, 1950, in Lancaster, the son of Harles and Nelda (Cohen) Wehrle. He was united in marriage to Debra Myers on Dec. 23, 1972, at the Livingston United Methodist Church.
Greg graduated from West Grant High School in 1968. After his high school graduation, he continued his education at Southwest Tech in Fennimore in the Ag/Auto Tractor course, and was part of the first ever SWTC graduating class. In January of 1970, he served in the National Guard until 1978. He was a member of the Grey-Murphy-Wachter Post 229 of Mt. Hope. He served as treasurer for several years and adjutant for 29 years.
In 1973, Greg and Deb took over the family farm operations from his parents. Greg continued to serve on the SWTC Advisory Board for the Farm Management Program for many years. Greg had a passion for farming, tending to and raising beef, hogs, sheep, and had a love for raising many St. Bernard pups. He loved antiques, had a passion for John Deere, and enjoyed tractor rides. Greg spent many countless afternoons with Deb by his side, compiling miles on the John Deere Gator throughout Grant County. He enjoyed being with his grandchildren and looked forward to their football and basketball games, concerts and many school programs. Greg was always very proud of his three hard-working boys—so proud, he’d lend them out to many other surrounding farm families for any job needing done. He’d also come with the boys and lend a hand too. Greg enjoyed working with his neighbors. Whether it was borrowing machinery, making hay, or stopping in just to have a conversation, he liked to converse with anyone and everyone.
Upon the few vacation trips spent away from the farm, he’d drive anywhere and happen to know a “guy” within his travels. Greg enjoying hunting and fishing. When you happened to be in a boat with Greg and Louie Wachter, you’d always have to watch for bait casts from their “multiple stock grasp” of fishing poles. He always enjoyed his fishing trips to Balsam Lake with the Wachter family and all their close family friends.
During the last years of farming, to make ends meet, Greg worked off the farm for Premier Co-op and Bloomington Livestock Exchange. Greg became very good friends with Jimmy Kirshbaum and his crew while working at the sales barn. The “coffee clutch” at Ma’s Bakery then became a second family to him as well. If one could write a book on all the stories Greg either told or had happen, it’d be a never-ending tale.
Greg is survived by his wife of 47 years, Debra; his three boys, Chad (Renee), Ryan (Melissa), and Kurt (Jennifer); his brother, Jerry (Judy); and eight grandchildren, Myles, Amelia, Levi, Abby, Mandi, Maddy, Cameron and Luke.
Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Harles and Nelda.
Funeral services will be at Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 31, followed by burial in the Prairie Cemetery in Fennimore with Military Honors. Pastor Mary Ann Floerke will officiate. A celebration of his life will follow at the Cottonwood Sports Bar in Fennimore. Family and friends may call at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home on Friday morning. Casual dress is preferred. Due to Covid-19 concerns, people are free to come celebrate Greg’s life with or without masks.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Greg’s name will be made for a SWTC agriculture scholarship.
