Patrick Kurtzweil

Pat always said his proudest accomplishment was his family. He instilled in them his work ethic, knowledge, sense of humor, love of the land, and most importantly, their love for each other. He often said that raising your children to be good adults is the most important job a person will ever have. Pat loved Mary Lou, Tracy, Daniel, and Eric dearly; he truly lived his dream of raising his family and running a successful farm.

Patrick was born March 15th 1960, the son of the late Anthony "Tony" and Marcella "Sally" (Soczka) Kurtzweil. In 1968, his family moved from Edgar to Merrill, where he graduated high school in 1978. On October 8th 1983, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary Lou Woller. Pat carried on the family tradition with his dad, as a logger. In the summers, he drove truck and did maintenance at the Oconomowoc Canning Company, in Merrill. Over the past 30 years, he worked diligently to build up the family farm, which was his true passion. Pat loved being his own boss and working outside. In 1995, the family proudly accepted the Farming Family of the Year award.

Pat was always dreaming about the next project or the next improvement to the farm or house. Instead of having a party for Pat and Mary's 25th wedding anniversary, they built a cabin in their syrup woods to celebrate. He truly appreciated the outdoors and all it had to offer. Pat made time for family gatherings, playing cards, hunting, fishing, and music. He was an avid Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers fan. Pat loved to talk and teach; and enjoyed sharing his knowledge of music, farming, maple syrup, and politics. Just last Sunday, Pat had the honor of meeting Governor Scott Walker at the Dairy Breakfast, at Northcentral Technical College's Agricultural Center.

On Monday, June 4th 2012, Patrick Anthony Kurtzweil died unexpectedly in the woods he loved. He was 52 years old.

He will be forever remembered by his beloved family, including his wife, Mary Lou; three children, Tracy (Ryan Neumann) Kurtzweil, Daniel Kurtzweil, and Eric Kurtzweil; three siblings, Christine (Robert) Kusiak, Priscilla (Jerome) Mayersak, and Bernard (Annette) Kurtzweil; father-in-law, Leonard (LaVine) Woller; sister-in-law, Nancy (Guy) Frostman; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; other family members; and countless friends.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Violet Woller.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 8th, at St. Mary's Parish, Marathon. The Reverend Joseph Diermeier will officiate. Burial will follow at Friedenshain Cemetery, town of Berlin. Family will receive guests Thursday, June 7th, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., at the Helke Funeral Home, Wausau; and again Friday, at the church, beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.