Verona

Richard George Doerfer, age 87, passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. He was the youngest child born to George and Katie (Maurer) Doerfer on July 14, 1930 at the Maurer Family homestead just outside of Verona. At the age of three, his father George purchased what would become the Doerfer dairy farm on Whalen Road, the road Dick would live on until the age of 86. Growing up, Dick farmed with his dad and eventually purchased the farm raising his own family there. Dick was a graduate of Verona High School in 1948, where he participated in boxing, basketball, and football, earning MVP of his 8-man team his senior year. He met the love of his life, Beverly Engeseth, at a dance at Turner Hall in Madison. On August 30, 1952 they were married at Norway Grove Lutheran Church in DeForest. They were blessed with four children.

Dick was incredibly proud of the farm and enjoyed building the business with his sons and their families. In 1963, Dick was chosen for the Area’s Outstanding Young Farmer Award and in 1992, he was honored to be named a Master Agriculturalist by the Wisconsin Agriculturist. In addition to farming, Dick was devoted to serving his community through his involvement in agricultural and local community organizations. Dick served on the Verona School Board for 18 years, 12 years as president; treasurer of Verona township; and was a director of the Middleton Insurance Co. and the Mt. Vernon Telephone Co. He was director of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, an AMPI district president as well as a delegate, and a delegate to the Wisconsin Federation of Co-Ops. He was a lifelong member of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Verona.

Dick was proud of his German heritage, making pfeffernusse annually, and in his later years enjoying the camaraderie and singing in the Maennerchor of Madison, a German men’s choir. Dick and Bev traveled to Germany, as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Alaska, Denmark, Norway, France, and Austria. Dick also traveled to China as part of an agricultural delegation. Dick enjoyed old-time music, had a passion for history, spent time woodworking, and loved following the Badgers and Packers. He was most proud of his family, and cherished time spent with Beverly and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Dick is survived by his four children, Gary (Jolene) Doerfer, Gail (Ken) Simmons, John (Jayne) Doerfer, and Jeffrey Doerfer; ten grandchildren, Brittany Doerfer, Ashley (Evan) Larsen, and Daylan Doerfer, Ryan (Anika) Simmons, Abigail (Max) Peternell, and Nicole (Aaron) Osten, Barry (Kristy) Doerfer and Sondra (Kevin) German, and Adam (Dana) Stanley and Aaron Stanley; and fourteen great-grandchildren, Sean and Levi Larsen, Reese and Samantha Simmons, Quinn and Olivia Ley, Keith, Jake, and Sadie Osten, Amelia and Owen Doerfer, Tripp and Emilee Hite, and Karly Stanley; sisters Joyce Hermanson and Doris (Robert) Davis; sister-in-laws Bonnie Koch and Vernie Engeseth, many nieces and nephews, other relatives and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Beverly in 2014, his parents, his in-laws Bert and Julia Engeseth, sister Jean Hanson, and brothers-in-law George Hanson, Stan Hermanson, Erling Engeseth, and Daniel Koch.

A celebration of his life will be held at ST. JAMES EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 427 S. Main Street, Verona on Monday, December 18, at 11 am. A visitation will take place at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 220 Enterprise Drive, Verona on Sunday, December 17 from 3-7pm, and again on Monday at the church from 9:30 am until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Verona Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established in Dick’s name. The family wishes to thank Dr. Lawrence Ozers of Dean Clinic and the dedicated staff and residents of Noel Manor for being a great place to call home this past year.

So God Made a Farmer… A man of integrity, an extremely hard-worker, a strong family man, an incredible role model, a lifelong learner, gentle, insightful, respected, warm-hearted, helpful, and the kindest man you’ll ever meet…So God Made a Farmer. Death is a moment. Love is forever. We will miss you, Dad. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Verona Chapel - 220 Enterprise Drive

608-845-6625

Richard Doerfer

July 14, 1930 - December 10, 2017

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