Alvin Deffner

Alvin Carl Deffner, of Wausau, born January 1st, 1933 in Chicago, IL to the late Oscar and Elsie (Liebers) Deffner, died peacefully on Friday, December 27th 2013, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

When he was three, his family moved to Wausau to farm the family homestead in the town of Hewitt. At fourteen years old, Alvin met the love of his life, Betty Lou (Lehman), at a 4H meeting. During the Korean War, Alvin enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country as part of the 40th Infantry Division, Military Police and was honorably discharged in 1956. On February 19th 1955, he and Betty were united in marriage at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau.

Together Alvin and Betty built a loving home for their seven children. His family will always remember the Sunday morning drives after church through car lots, while listening to polka, his enjoyment for the outdoors, fishing (especially fly fishing), hunting, and his great gift to fix or build just about anything. He will also be remembered for his kind heart, friendly personality, and gift to converse with anyone at anytime. He was very proud of his family and grandkids and especially enjoyed sharing stories about all of them. Alvin also enjoyed sewing and quilting as a pastime, which he learned while living at the Village Cooperative. As an active member of St Stephen Lutheran Church, Alvin gave of his time by volunteering, ushering and participating in Bible Camp. In October 2012, Alvin had the privilege of attending the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, with his son, Chuck.

Alvin's legacy will live on in the hearts of his wife of 58 years, Betty; seven children, Arnold Deffner, Wausau, Barbara (Dale) Cybela, Brown Deer, Charles (Lynn) Deffner, Rothschild, Ronald (Karen) Deffner, Green Bay, Jeanette (Seth) Wiskow, Weston, Joseph (Karen) Deffner, Aniwa, and David (Paula) Deffner, Kronenwetter; nine grandchildren, Stephanie and Trent Cybela, Caleb (J.J.) Deffner, Chad Deffner, Jessica (Joe) Strand, Katie and Andrew Wiskow, and Kristin and Riley Deffner; five siblings, Otto Deffner (preceded in death by Carole), Dousman, Norman (Janet) Deffner, Marvin (Joanne) Deffner, Roger (Louida) Deffner, all of Wausau, and Elaine (Thomas) Disch, Brookfield; many nieces and nephews; and other family members and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, January 3rd, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau, with Reverend Gary Froseth officiating. Interment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau, with full military honors provided by the American Legion Montgomery Plant Post, No. 10, Wausau. Family will receive guests on Thursday, January 2nd, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., at the Helke Funeral Home, Wausau; and again on Friday, at church, from 10 a.m. until the service.

Memorials may be directed to St Stephen Lutheran Church or The Never Forgotten Honor Flight.