Theodore M. "Ted" Meier Jr.

Theodore M Meier, Jr, 77 Athens, entered eternal life on Friday March 8, 2024 at The Hospice House, Wausau after a 17-year battle with Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.
Funeral services for Theodore will be Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 2:00p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens. Rev. Mark Schwalenberg will officiate. Burial will be in the Milan cemetery following the services.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 5-8p.m and again on Sunday from 1p.m until the time of service all at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens. Serving as pallbearers are Ryan and Sawyer Thurs, Carson Kline, Mike Hein, Dennis Zocher and Mike Tishendorf.
Theodore was born on January 15, 1947, the son of the late Theodore and Elsie (Stark) Meier. On July 19, 1969, he and the former Beverly A. Westphal were united in marriage.
After high school Theodore farmed 450 acres with his parents and continued to do so while they established what is today known as Meier Forest Products Inc. Theodore along with his father the late Theodore Sr and brother Matthew started a hardwood sawmill in 1974. At the time, they were not aware of the technical aspects of operating a sawmill and had much learning to do. Over the years the business continued to grow and little did they know how successful it would become. Theodore's legacy continued when his son Shannon replaced him upon his "retirement" at the sawmill. However, Theodore never really did retire and the sawmill remained a large part of his life in his later years.
Theodore enjoyed many Sunday drives looking at standing timber. The sawmill was his passion. He was an avid Sheepshead player, playing cards for years on Sunday nights at The Swamp and Friday afternoons and Saturdays at Burger's Bar. More recently, you would find him Monday nights at Landmark where he was always ready to play the next hand. Neighbors would meet him often on the road as he drove the countryside checking out how the farmers' crops were doing.
In Theodore's healthier years, he enjoyed traveling and one of his favorite places to go was Jamaica. He also enjoyed going to Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Alaska, and other states across the U.S. Many trips were taken to Milwaukee with his family to watch the Brewers play. The gun deer season was always a time he looked forward to, hunting the area with the neighborhood hunting crew. He and his late wife Beverly enjoyed many happy road trips together on their Goldwing trike.
Family was very important to Theodore. He taught his children hard work and always encouraged them to do their best. He was a kind, caring and compassionate man who did everything for his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed spending quality family time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He always welcomed visitors to his home and his eyes would light up when people would stop to visit.
Theodore will be dearly missed by his daughter Patricia (Todd) Thurs of Athens, son Shannon (Cecile) Meier of Edgar; five grandchildren, Autumn (Mike) Ellenbecker of Edgar, Ryan Thurs of Athens, Sawyer Thurs of Marathon, Carson Kline of Edgar and Vienna Meier of Edgar; and three great grandchildren, Emersyn, Brecken and Rowyn Ellenbecker of Edgar. Theodore is further survived by his life long business partner and brother Matthew (Beverly J.) Meier of Edgar; sister Susan (Richard) Frahm of Wausau and sister-in-law Carol Klimpke of Athens. He is further survived by nieces and nephews.
Theodore is preceded in death by his loving wife Beverly A. Meier and his daughter Pamela Meier.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
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