John F. Statz

John F. Statz age 87, of Menomonie, died Monday Dec.  27, 2010, at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire.

John was born June 2, 1923, in the Town of Seymour, Eau Claire County, the son of Wolfgang and Elizabeth (Dohm) Statz.  John grew up in the Seymour area and went to the Springfield Prairie School.  He served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946 during WWII in the South Pacific.  John received the Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with Bronze Battle Star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Battle Star and a Victory Medal.  After his discharge John returned to Eau Claire County and attended Dunwoody Industrial Institute in Minneapolis, graduating from the carpentry school.  He then did construction work with his family.

John married Lillian Gunderson on Aug. 26, 1950, at St. Bridget's Church in Seymour.

John worked construction for Statz Brothers Construction for a few years then went into private construction in the Chippewa Falls area. 

John and his family moved to Greeley, Colo., where he continued his construction business for five years.  John was involved in many community activities in Greeley of which included being PTA President at St. Peter Catholic School and a Cub Scout Leader for three years. 

In 1965 John and his family moved to Menomonie where they developed Twin Springs Camping Resort and Pine Crest Acres Subdivision in Menomonie.  John owned and operated Twin Springs Campground with his wife and family for 45 years. 

John was a 30-year member of the American Legion Post 53 of Eau Claire.

John is survived by his wife Lillian; three sons, Steven (Elizabeth) of Maple Grove, Minn., and Michael and Ted (Chrissa), both of Menomonie; two daughters, Mary Statz of Maple Grove and Susan (Brian) Schmidt of Millville, Minn.; five grandchildren, David Statz (Ted),  Amanda and Sara (Steven and  Elizabeth), and Devin and Amber (Susan and Brian); five brothers, Gilbert (Eleanor) of Altoona, William and Vincent (Joanne) both Chippewa Falls,  Ralph (Janet) and Wilbert (Linda), both of Eau Claire; four sisters, Martha Kuehn, Anne Hanson and Joanne Reiter, all of Eau Claire, and Jeanette Gamroth of Edina, Minn.; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Louis and George; three sisters, Elizabeth Kuehn, Mary Kuehn and Angeline Sokup.

Funeral services will be  at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011, at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Menomonie with Rev. Thomas Krieg officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post 53 of Eau Claire.

Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Online condolences may be made at http://www.rhielfuneralhome.com">www.rhielfuneralhome.com.

Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services-Menomonie is serving the family.