Paul Badertscher

Paul Badertscher, 89 years young, went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Darlington, WI on February 18, 2025. Paul was born on May 15, 1935, the eldest of (9) children born to Otto and Alma (Ast) Badertscher. Paul attended school in Darlington, WI. On August 10, 1957, he was united in marriage to Sylvia Dammen and they were blessed with (4) children. Paul was a proud and hard-working dairy farmer until 1998 when he started driving school bus for Al's Bus Company (which later became Lamers) until 2022. He loved driving school bus and would often pick up extra shifts for sporting events and bachelor parties. He was so proud to give "his" bus kids a full sized 3 Musketeers candy bar every year on his birthday. He enjoyed his tradition of fireworks every July 4th at the farm for family, friends and neighbors. If he wasn't with family or friends playing the (Swiss) card game Jass, he was often found playing the machines at the casino in either Dubuque or Laughlin, NV. Paul is survived by his special friend Virginia Douglas, Darlington, son-in-law Ben (Catherine) Harrison, Mauston; and children Ronald Badertscher, Darlington; Charles (Tracy) Badertscher, Dodgeville; Lisa Badertscher-Andrews, Argyle. And nine grandchildren; Jackie (Brian) Clark, Philip (Morgan) Harrison, Ann (Matt) Flanagan, Jim (Hannah) Badertscher, Ronda (Brian Mosley) Badertscher, David (Melissa) Badertscher, Sabrina (Eric) Hagen, Ciara Badertscher and Vanessa (Jeff) Rosebrook; (20) great grandchildren; (2) brothers; Louis (Olga) Badertscher, Kingman, AZ; Jim (Shari) Badertscher, Prescott, AZ; (2) sisters Darlene Brightbill, Madison, WI; Sue (Greg) Meier, Waconia, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Sylvia, in 2011, his daughter Kristine in 2020, his parents and (4) brothers; William, Leo, Robert and John. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at Immanuel United Church of Christ (339 E. Louisa St, Darlington) with Rev. Bill Vasey officiating. He will be laid to rest beside his wife Sylvia in Union Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be held Monday, February 24, 2025, from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Immanuel United Church of Christ and on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. at the church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com. The family wished to thank the nurses and other staff at Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County; the staff of St Croix Hospice and especially to Peggy Steger and Luanne Donahue of Sentinel Home Care for the caring and services they all provided.