Earl W. Stammen

Earl W. Stammen, age 80, of Madison and recently of Grand Marsh, WI died at his home surrounded by his family on Friday, March 30, 2007 after a battle with cancer.

Earl was born August 11, 1926 to Frank and Ella (Fournier) Stammen in Madison. He graduated from East High School in 1944. Earl married Ardis May Vestlie of Stoughton on October 4, 1947, living for periods of time in Verona, Middleton, Monona, and McFarland, prior to moving to Patrick Lake in Grand Marsh. Early in his life, Earl went into the plumbing business with his brother Ralph and father Frank started the Stammen and Sons Plumbing Co. Their business was initially located in Monona and later on Madisons West Side. In 1972, Earl retired from the business and purchased Patricks Lake Restaurant in Grand Marsh. After many years, Earl and Ardis retired from the restaurant business. Throughout their marriage, they dedicated themselves to helping children in need by becoming foster parents. Over a period of many years, they took in over 60 children, many of which continue to remain close to them even today. Earl was also a soft touch for stray pets and always had several around the house including dogs, cats, hamsters, raccoons, fish and more. He enjoyed fishing in Canada and touring Wisconsin and the great outdoors in their camper with his wife Ardis and many of their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He enjoyed playing cards with his family and yelling at the Green Bay Packers. Earl was a member of the Lions International Association in McFarland and later in Grand Marsh. He was an active member of St. Anns Church in Brooks, Wisconsin volunteering his time to help out during Mass and by maintaining the property. He served for a period of time on the New Chester Town Board and the New Chester Fire Department.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Ella, his sisters, Marian Smith and her husband Lloyd (Dick) and Lillian Larsen and her husband Ruben, his brother Ralph and Ralphs second wife Kathleen and his son Jeffrey who died in an automobile accident on September 13, 1981.

He is survived by his sister Judy (Ron) Easterling, wife Ardis, a very special child, Ethel (Bob) Williams, and his children, Randy (Jody) Stammen of Wisconsin Dells, Michael (Connie Wold) Stammen of Oxford, Gary (Sharon) Stammen of Oxford, Todd (Lee) Stammen of Grand Marsh, Darcie Stammen of Scottsdale, AZ., 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and other relatives in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada, Ohio, and Arizona and many, many friends.

Earls family is grateful for the care he received at the U.W. Hospital and from all the Doctors and Nurses who helped him and of the care provided by HospiceCare.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Anns Catholic Church in Brooks, Wisconsin and again from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. A Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, April 4th, 2007 at 10 a.m. at St. Cecilias Catholic Church located at 604 Oak Street in Wisconsin Dells, with Msgr. Felix Oehrlein officiating, followed by a luncheon at the Church. Interment for immediate family will be later that day at Forest Hill Cemetery and Mausoleum where his son Jeff was laid to rest.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person
An hour to appreciate them
A day to love them
But, an entire life to forget them.