Benjamin Preisig

Benjamin J. Preisig I, 97, of Wausau, passed away on Monday June 29, 2015 at the Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau. Ben was born on March 2, 1918 in Humbird, Wisconsin. He was the son of Jacob and Ida (Leiterman) Preisig.

Ben married the love of his life, Margaret Ruth Zeich, on July 1, 1948 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Ben graduated from Stratford High School and completed two years at UW-Madison in the dairy program as a master cheesemaker. Ben was stationed in San Francisco prior to WWII in the Army. He always had a love of time pieces which connected him to Val Kryshak. He sold watches and jewelry for Val for many years. He was also employed at Kraft Foods Corp. for 44 years, retiring in 1983 as a shipping foreman. Ben was a volunteer for the Auxiliary Wausau Emergency Police for 55 years. He enjoyed volunteering at the annual county fair and parades.

Ben is survived by his wife of 67 years, Margaret Preisig; children, Debbie Sager of Las Vegas, NV, Sandy (Gary) Ciula of Mosinee, Heidi (Dennis) Fleurant of Schofield and Ben (Cheryl) Preisig of Wausau; eight grandchildren, Ashley (Teri) Sager, Stephanie Sager, Felicia (Tyler) Salvinski, William (Jennie) Fleurant, Jacob (Emily) Ciula, Alexandra Ciula, Natasha Preisig and Monica Preisig and one great-granddaughter, Eleanore Fleurant. Ben is further survived by three sister-in-laws, Doris Preisig and Barbara Preisig both of Wausau and Louise Lieb of Cornell, Wisconsin; along with nieces and nephews. Ben was proceeded in death by his parents; brothers, Paul, Herman, and Clifford Preisig; sisters, Ruth Schultz and Wilma Cunningham.

Ben enjoyed house painting, building Martin houses, and cars. He was an astute retail businessman. In his early retirement years, he enjoyed his trip to Switzerland, bus tours and most recently the Honor Flight to Washington, DC in May of 2011 with his sponsor, Roger Kohn.

He inherited his love for gardens from his parents and he was in awe of his large home-grown potatoes.

Funeral Services will take place at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at Grace United Church of Christ, 535 S. Third Ave, Wausau. Pastor Wayne Drueck will officiate. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM on Wednesday and last until the time of service at the church. Burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements, you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.

Our family would like to thank the staff of Aspirus Hospice House for their compassionate care.