William(Bill) Allen Jaquish passed away at sunrise on Friday, March 25, 2011 at St. Mary's Hospital, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Reedsburg, WI on November 20, 1945 to Theodore and Irma (Leigh) Jaquish.
He graduated from Weston High School and later received his B.S. degree in Agronomy from the UW-Madison. Bill married the love of his life, LaNell Zech, on August 17, 1968. Shortly after, he was drafted by the US Marine Corps. Upon his release from the USMC, he began farming near Sauk City with his father-in-law, and became partners as Sunny Slopes Farm Ltd. He operated the farm until his death, with his son, Rhett. He truly loved farming and the constant changes and challenges it offered as he and his family enlarged the dairy operation. Constantly trying to make his community better for those around him, Bill was active in many ways. He served in several roles as a member of the Black Hawk United Methodist Church. He served on state and national Farm Bureau committees as a young farmer and later as Sauk County president. Sauk Prairie School board occupied over 20 years of his life, many as Board president. He cared deeply about Troy Township serving as Town Chairman and later the town's certified assessor for 27 years. After being active in 4-H as a young man, he went on to become a leader in the Happy Hustlers 4-H club.
Besides his wife, LaNell, Bill is survived by their four children—NaTanya (Kurt) Olson of Forbes, ND, Jada (Jonathon) Hooks of Blue Mounds, Shalome (Brian) Ullmann of Otsego, MN and Rhett (Erin) Jaquish of Sauk City. He was also blessed by his grandchildren: Teagan, Evan, Marsika Olson, Katelyn and Megan Ullmann and baby Hooks. He is further survived by his father Theodore Jaquish, father-in-law Lawrence Zech, sister Mary (Roger) Thibault of Bowling Green, OH, brother Reg (Pat) Jaquish of Reedsburg, sister Barb (Bill) Klang of Reedsburg, brother-in-law Terry (Gayla) Zech of Shoshone, ID and honorary son Mark Ladsten of Prairie du Sac as well as many other relatives and friends. His mother, Irma Jaquish, and mother-in-law, Marie Zech, preceded him in death.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held on Tuesday March 29th at 11:00 AM at the Black Hawk Bethlehem United Methodist Church, S10174 County Hwy C, Sauk City WI. Visitation will be held at the Hooverson Funeral Home, Sauk City from 4-7 PM on Monday, March 28th.
Bill, Dad, Grandpa—We are glad you are relieved from your pain and have lots of time to relax and fish. We love you and will miss your gentle spirit.