Charles F. "Charlie" Bongard, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, July 29, 2015. He was born in Madison on January 4, 1930 to the late Frank and Rose (Endres) Bongard. Charlie married Virginia Marx on June 3, 1952 at St. Norbert's Catholic Church in Roxbury. He worked for Wisconsin Dairies for 39 years, retiring in 1992. He worked in various roles in milk and cheese production. Charlie was a lifelong member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, a longtime member of Lake Wisconsin Country Club and had the good fortune of making a hole-in-one on #5. He had a passion for fishing, enjoyed bowling, pool leagues, playing cards, deer hunting, taking care of his lawn and garden, and was known to make great old fashions and kiddy cocktails.

He is survived by Virginia, his wife of 63 years; 7 children, Joan (Dennis) Breunig, Chuck (Marilyn) Bongard, Terry (Dave) Hartmann, Diane (Mark) Ganser, Kathy (Dan) Lovell, Lisa (Tim) Evert, James (Sandi) Bongard;
17 grandchildren, Jason and Josh (Christi) Breunig, Steve (MaryBeth) Bongard, Michele (Justin) Spaeth, Stacie and John Hartmann, Sandra (Phil) Maher, Lucas Ganser, Kelsey (Mitch) Gilbertson, Mike and Jenna Lovell, Annie (Tony) Wipperfurth, Jeff and Kimberly Evert, Joe, Emily and Erin Bongard;
3 great-grandchildren, Avery and Claire Maher, and Vivienne Breunig;
Brother, Lee "Bud" (Carol) Bongard; sisters, Fran Thompson and Karen (Leon) Breunig; sisters-in-law, Liz and Lucy Bongard. He is further survived by many relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Clarice Hug and Mary Jo Pape; brothers, Victor and Eugene and infant brother, Joseph.

Charlie's family would like to thank the St. Clare Hospital Dialysis Team, St. Mary's Hospital Staff, and Agrace Hospice, and a special thank you to nurse, Kevin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Aloysius Cemetery. A visitation will be held at Hooverson Funeral Home, Sauk City on Friday, July 31, 2015 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm and from 9:30 am until 10:45 am the morning of the service at the funeral home.

"Dad, Thank you for sharing your love and faith with us. You will be in our hearts forever".