William L. Slaats

Cuba City, Wisconsin William L. "Bud" Slaats, 92, of Cuba City, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, April 2, in the hospice unit of Epione Pavilion in Cuba City. This was two days short of the passing of his wife, Evelyn, in 2006 on April 4. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2013, at Faith Lutheran Church in Cuba City with Pastor Mike Short officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Cuba City. Friends may call from 9-10 a.m. Friday at the church before the service. Casey Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cuba City is in charge of arrangements. William Slaats was born in Galena, Illinois on October 21, 1920 to William and Elizabeth (Cunzenheim) Slaats. His early education included Bishop School in the Town of Hazel Green after his parents moved to a farm between what was known as Happy Corners and Louisburg, Wisconsin. Despite finishing just 8 grades, he accomplished much in community and regional organizations during his lifetime. He farmed until the age of 53 and then was employed by Jacques Seed in Cuba City for 14 years. Upon retirement he continued to work his garden, ply his tinkering skills in a wood shop and played many card games with friends and family. He also continued involvement in community affairs. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Cuba City and served on its council for a number of terms, was a longtime member in the church’s men’s group, and in later years became an avid participant in the church choir. He also was a member of the Cuba City Lions Club for many years. Civic duty was important to him. He served as a U.S. census taker in the 1960s, was a Town of Hazel Green tax assessor for ten years, served on the Louisburg Cemetery Association Board, and worked in sales for Jamestown Mutual Insurance Company for many years and served on the company’s board of directors for more than a decade. He also was a director of the Grant County Electric Cooperative (now Scenic River Cooperative) for nine years. All of this occurred during and post his operating a 93-acre farm. Until his later years, radio and television news broadcasts as well as daily and weekly newspapers and farming magazines were a big part of his life. Upon retirement, he and Evelyn kept a part of their original farm and built a home. The home and that of a neighbor became known as “Budville,” thanks to Bud Slaats handiwork in the creation of a sign noting that Burnette “Bud” and Tina Runde and “Bud” and Evelyn Slaats, were close neighbors and dear friends. “Budville” was featured in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald as one of the area’s novelties. Upon the death of his wife seven years ago, he moved into assisted living facilities in Dubuque, Iowa. His last years were spent at Sunset Park Place in that community. He moved most recently to the Epione/Reflections Memory Care Unit in Cuba City. Surviving him are four children. They include Becky (Bill) Weitz, Peosta, IA; Mike (Sarah) Slaats, Glasgow, MT; Glen (Vicki) Slaats, Green Bay, WI; and Gary (Carolyn) Slaats of Naples, FL and Madison, WI. A sister, Ruth Slaats of Cuba City, as well as seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren also survive him. There are also many nieces and nephews around the U.S. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Hannah Bend and Myrtle Mork and their husbands. In lieu of flowers, a William L. "Bud" Slaats Memorial Fund has been established with proceeds to go to the Cuba City Lions Club or Hospice of Dubuque. Thanks to Epione Pavilion and Katie of Hospice of Dubuque. A special thanks also to the staff at Sunset Park Place for taking care of dad and Pumpkin.