Obituary of Alwin Gene Baneck

Jefferson - Alwin Gene "Al or Butch" Baneck, 78, of Jefferson, passed away on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at Aurora Medical Center in Summit. Al was born on August 8, 1939 in Watertown, the only child of Alwin A. and Ida (Hachtel) Baneck. He was baptized, confirmed, and was a member at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Rome his entire life. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1957. He served in the Wisconsin National Guard and was a member of the Jefferson County Barbershop Chorus. On August 7, 1965, he married Rosaleen Sachs in Fort Atkinson. Al and Rosie enjoyed 52 years of marriage together operating a dairy farm near Rome and raising their family. Al was most happy when enjoying one of Rosie's home cooked meals with a cold beer. He was a devoted and loving father. He took pride in teaching his children the importance of working hard together as a family in order to keep everyone close. Al loved farming. He was very proud of his herd of Guernsey dairy cows. Nothing pleased him more than the sight of a recently plowed field with straight furrows, cultivating corn with his Ford 2N tractor, or getting all the hay baled just before a thunderstorm. Anyone who knew Al, knew that he loved old cars, especially old Fords. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of vintage automobiles including being able to remember the exact make, model, and year of vehicles family and friends had owned throughout his life. He especially enjoyed his two 1965 Ford Mustangs, taking them to many car shows over the years. After a hard day's work, Al was always ready for dancing to polka music, playing cards (euchre or sheepshead), telling stories, or sharing a good joke with family and friends. Al will be deeply missed by his wife Rosie; his three children, Julie (Chad) Schumacher of Waukesha, Margie (Rich) Drotzer of Cambridge, and John (Jill) Baneck of Marshall; six grandchildren, Cole and Ava Schumacher, Jason and Rachel Drotzer, Harold and Frederick Baneck; as well as many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 2, at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, W1956 Main St. Sullivan, WI 53718 with the Rev. Michael Mannisto officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 1, at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 1008 Madison Avenue, Fort Atkinson, from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Thursday, at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Luke's Lutheran Church.