Russell W. Wilfer

Russell (Russ) Wayne Wilfer, 91 of Combined Locks and Appleton passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at Cherry Meadows Hospice. He was born in Milwaukee, WI on June 13, 1932, the son of Anton and Anna (Becker) Wilfer. Russ married his high school sweetheart Laura Marie Schuster on September 1, 1951 in Menomonee Falls, WI. He owned his own coal trucking business until coal furnaces were replaced by gas, then drove truck for Ruan transportation services until joining the L.M. Berry Company where he spent most of his career. Working with numerous telephone companies including Wisconsin Bell, he had a long and successful career in Yellow Pages sales and management. He loved to experience different cultures via travel and was able to do consulting with Yellow Pages in many countries including Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Norway, US Virgin Islands, and India. He spent the last six years of his career consulting in Japan before finally retiring. Russ was an accomplished artist and spent many hours creating paintings that his many friends and relatives were proud to show off. He was long active in the Lions Club of Appleton, a member at Butte des Morts Country Club and later at Fox Valley Golf Club, and volunteered at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. He was a life-long supporter of his Green Bay Packers.

Russ is survived by his children, Dennis (Lezlie) of Fairbanks, AK; Christine; Rosanne; Paul; and Mark (Linda) of San Ramon, CA; grandchildren Ashley (Travis) McDonough; Oliver Park of Merida, Mexico; Lauren of Athens, AL; Cacy of Fairbanks, AK; and Alexandra of Wausau, WI; and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Laura, his daughter-in-law Maribeth (Betsy), his grandson Benjamin, his brothers Robert and Earl, his sister Lydia, and his nephew Ronnie and cousin Chuck to whom he was especially close.

Our heartfelt gratitude to our special ‘angels’ who have provided our dad with care, company, love, and so much more. Ellen, Jan, and Kathy, you are loved and will always be family. We could not have done it without you. Our thanks also to Cherry Meadows hospice team; your care, compassion, and support were beyond our expectations.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:00 on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 100 N Drew St, Appleton, WI.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Russell’s memory can be sent to the Appleton Police Canine Unit or to the Appleton Lions Club.