David R. Schiessl Sr.

1936 - 2025

David R. Schiessl Sr.

March 10, 1936 - July 6, 2025

After 89 years of laughing, loving, traveling, teaching, baking, growing gardens, and sharing hugs, Dave Schiessl quietly passed away at his home in Fredonia, Wisconsin, on July 6, 2025. Dave, a second-generation German, was born in Lacrosse, Wisconsin on March 10, 1936, to parents Joseph and Esther (nee Witt) Schiessl. Joseph was a prominent men's tailor before the depression and ended his career working at the Heileman's Brewery in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where Dave and his three siblings were born and raised. Dave grew up on the Mississippi River immersed in the Lutheran faith and surrounded by family and friends. After high school, Dave attended the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, where he met the love of his life, and his betrothed of 65 years, Ileen (Terry) Gehrke. While attending college, they had four children, so Dave finished his degree and started teaching before Terry finished hers. During this time, Dave was given a grant and the family moved to Boulder, Colorado while Dave achieved his master's degree. The family would take skiing adventures to Lake Eldora and the Colorado bug was set. After moving back to La Crosse, Terry completed her degree while Dave taught Junior and Senior High Science. After Terry's graduation, being the adventurous couple that they were, they decided to teach abroad in Laos. Soon unrest took place in the country, and they decided that this was the time for Dave's dream of living in Colorado. In 1969, the family loaded up the U-Haul and moved to Gypsum, Colorado, population 400! Dave and Terry both started teaching at Eagle Valley Junior and Senior High School. Dave's teaching career included teaching math and science at the junior and senior high levels, coaching, athletic director, bus driver. You name it, he did it, with respect, dignity and always with a smile. He loved living in Colorado where he was involved in many community activities. He was a 51-year Lion's Club member, president of the Colorado Square Dance Association, and was always available to lend a helping hand. An avid fly fisherman, he taught his family about the outdoors, took jeep and camping trips, and was famous for his gardens, fruit trees, baking, entertaining friends, and his German potato salad! He was a founding member of Mountain Valley Lutheran Church in Eagle and instrumental in the construction of the beautiful church. His teaching career lasted 35 years being an active member of the Wisconsin Teachers Union and the Colorado Teachers Association. He was a devoted educator and loved his students. To this day former students still call him Mr. Schiessl. Friends were many and Colorado was his happy home. After retirement, Dave and Terry traveled in their motorhome pulling his bass boat and would fish all the way from Colorado to Southern Texas and were proud winter Texans! At the retirement community in Weslaco, he was known as the captain of the hot tub which was where you could find him reading a book, drinking a beer, and chatting with friends. The man could chat and would befriend everyone. After Terry's health declined, it was with sad acceptance that he agreed to move back to Wisconsin where original family members still lived. Selling their meticulously maintained home in Upper Kaibab, they purchased a 5-acre home in Fredonia, Wisconsin, north of Milwaukee where Terry was born. Dave continued his passion for gardening, growing fruit trees, canning everything, and feeding the many birds that found Dave's warm heart. Dave would drive his golf cart around his Wisconsin property every night and share the history of every tree and bush that he had planted. Not a sprig would die on Dave's watch. Even his severe macular degeneration did not hinder his care of the forested acreage! Dave is survived by his children David Jr. (Jennifer) Schiessl, Debra Jordan (Kevin Craig), and Daniel Schiessl, grandchildren Otto Jordan, David (Sarah) Schiessl III, Emily (Paul) Ketterman, and great-grandchildren Molly and Joseph Ketterman. Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Ileen Gehrke Schiessl, his parents, Joseph and Esther Schiessl, his siblings, Dorothy Polenz, Ruth Ender, and Richard Schiessl, and his youngest son, Dean Joseph Schiessl. A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grafton, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired, Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grafton, WI or Mountain Valley Lutheran Church in Eagle, CO are appreciated.

The Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.