Roger Fust

Roger C. Fust, 74, of the town of Easton, passed away at Wausau Aspirus Hospital on Saturday, September 10, 2011 after a courageous five-year battle with cancer. He was born on March 4, 1937, the only child of the late Clarence and Dorothy (Sickler) Fust. From the time he was born, Roger had a passion for agriculture, growing up on the family farm. He was very active in D.C. Everest FFA and Badger 4-H, receiving the highest awards, The American Farmer Degree and The 4-H Key Award. He was a graduate of the second graduating class at D.C. Everest High School in 1955. He was also a member of the Wisconsin National Guard.
He met his "farmer girl," Darleen, at a polka dance at the former Colonial Ballroom. They were married June 6, 1959. He married into a large family of ten brothers and sisters-in-law and 27 nieces and nephews, who he enjoyed very much throughout the years. They were blessed with two children. They farmed together for 52 years with his parents, children, and grandchildren. He was very proud of receiving the Century Farm Award in 2005 and that the farm continues for five generations. Roger was a lifelong member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Wausau where he was baptized, confirmed, and married. He served on various committees through the years and was past church council president. He was currently serving as an usher.
Roger was frequently recognized for his contributions and service by local and state organizations such as, Farm Bureau, Wausau Area Jaycees, Marathon County Holstein Breeders, Wisconsin Agriculturist Magazine, FFA, and 4-H.
He had served on the Board of Directors of several organizations including the Marathon County Dairy Herd improvement Association, Marathon County Holstein Breeders, Cloverbelt Co-Op, Tomorrow Valley Co-Op, Marathon County Agriculture Society Fair Board, DHIA State Policy Committee, ASCS, and Marathon County Farm Bureau, where he served as president off and on for the past 16 years. He was currently serving on the Servco FS board and the Town of Easton zoning committee.
As a couple, through the years, they enjoyed polka dancing, square dancing, bowling, snowmobiling, attending farm related conventions, travelling, watching the Green Bay Packers, and socializing with friends over a Friday night fish fry.
Roger enjoyed machinery shopping. Every week he would go through all the farm papers, looking at the equipment for sale, searching for the next item to make a deal on. He also enjoyed going on Sunday drives through the countryside looking at farm fields, having breakfast with his "coffee buddies," and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandsons.
Survivors include his wife, Darleen (Seymour); children, Brian (Wendy) Fust, and Brenda (Kevin) Prieve; grandchildren, Nicole, Jennifer (Adam) Krause, Tyler (special friend Shannon McLaughlin), and Ryan Prieve; and his adorable great-grandsons, Aiden and Bailey Krause, who brought many smiles to him in his last years. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Ruth Seymour, Maynard and Lucille Bedish, Rita Seymour, DuWayne and Joanne Schulz, and Shirley Madden; an aunt, Margaret Meseberg; many nieces, nephews, and friends; and his feline companions, Jake and Jerry.
He was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Norman Seymour, Earl Madden, and his beloved grandson, Bradley Fust.
Funeral services will take place at 10:30 am on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 512 McClellan St., Wausau, with the Rev. Gary Froseth officiating. Friends and family may call beginning at 3:30 pm until 8:00 pm on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at the church and again on Thursday beginning at 9:30 am until the time of service at the church.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
The family would like to thank Dr. Christopher Peterson, Dr. Joseph Babiarz, Dr. Darryl Barton, Dr. Brian Smith, and their respective nursing staffs. The family would like to further thank the Home Hospice Service, and all the nurses and CNAs in the Palliative Care Unit at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for the excellent care provided to Roger.
A Memorial Fund will be established. Memorials may also be made to St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau.
Rest in peace, we love you, and we will all miss you.