William F. Thull

   William F. "Bill" Thull, 91, of the town of Kewaskum, passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at his home in hospice care.

   He was born on January 31, 1923, in St. Michaels, the son of the late Nicholas and Anna (Schneider) Thull, and on October 18, 1947, he was united in marriage to Cyrilla Vogt at Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend.

   Bill was a life-long farmer in the area and loved his land. In 1996 his family hosted the Washington County Breakfast on the Farm event.  Bill was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michaels and the church choir, a member of the Farm Bureau, Wisconsin Orchestra Organization, Wisconsin Polka Boosters and We Love to Dance Club.

   Bill had a love for music and began a music career with his brother, Jack in 1935. In the mid 1950's Bill formed his own band, Bill Thull Recording Orchestra. From 1972 until the early 2000's the band was a family affair with all his children playing in the band.  The band was well known for their polka music and Bill was inducted into the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame.

   In 1977 National Geographic visited the farm and took pictures of Bill and his band and pictures of the farm that were published. A picture of Bill on the farm was also published in a second grade science book and the Today Show also visited the farm.

   Bill was a devoted and loving husband and father. He loved family gatherings and spending time with his family. He was an avid sheepshead player and will fondly be remembered as a handy man who could take apart, put together and fix anything. Bill will be deeply missed by his wife, his family and by all who knew him.

   Those Bill leaves behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 66 years, Cyrilla; five children, Kathleen (David) Wagner, Michael (Connie) Thull and Ralph (Mary Lou) Thull all of Kewaskum, Eileen (Robert) Kuether of Manitowoc and Denis (Wendy) Thull of Kewaskum; 14 grandchildren, Deanna (Roger) Schmidt, Julie (Dave) Steger, Nicholas Wagner, Joyce (Brady) Bailo, Lynn Thull, Randy (Ashley) Thull, Michelle (Dan) Jerabek, Missy (Nate) Rank, Russell (Megan) Thull, Marcia Thull, Cindy (Andrew) Scharenbroch, Mark Kuether, Jared Thull (special friend, Dawn) and Kayli Thull (special friend, Kyle); 14 great-grandchildren, Vanessa and Jillian Schwake, Jonathan and Dillan Steger, Ryan, Ashlyn and Angelena Thull, John and Emma Rank, Shaylee and Maria Jerabek, Natalie, Benjamin and Elliott Scharenbroch; a sister, Ann Thill of Kewaskum, other relatives and friends.

   In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by two brothers, Jacob (Cresence) Thull and Theodore (Rita) Thull; five sisters, Veronica Thull, Irma (Erwin) Mueller, Rosina Thull, Marie (Herbert) Kissinger and Lily (Raymond) Uelmen and two brothers-in-law, Ben Klesmith and Elmer Thill.

   A Mass of Christian Burial for Bill was held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michaels. Father Edwin Kornath officiated and burial followed in the parish cemetery.

   The Thull family greeted relatives and friends at the church on Monday from 4:00  until 8:00 p.m. where a prayer vigil was held at 8:00 p.m. Visitation continued at the church on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

   Memorials to St. Michael Catholic Church are appreciated.

   The Miller Funeral Home in Kewaskum was entrusted with Bill's arrangements.

   The rest of the family extends their extreme appreciation to our sister, Kathy for the attentive, tender and compassionate care provided to our Dad.  Additional appreciation to Carol Waters of Cedar Hospice and Forest, Darlene and Kathy of L & M Consulting, Dr. Herdrich and nursing staff for the care provided to Bill.

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