Lewis C. White

COLUMBUS – Lewis C. White, age 83 of Columbus, passed away on Thursday, July 7, 2016. He was born Sept. 4, 1932, the son of Wave and Cora (Casper) White in the town of York, Waterloo, Wis. Lewis graduated from Columbus High School with the class of 1950. In high school, Lewis was selected to attend Badger Boys State in his junior year, the following year he became a Badger Boys State counselor. He also was a member of the CHS high school FFA quartet where they sang at the National FFA convention in Kansas City. Lewis received his Future Farmer of American Degree in May of 1951. He went on to graduate from UW-Platteville in 1954, with a degree in Agricultural education and taught vocational agriculture in Fall River and Randolph. While attending UW-Platteville, Lewis sang in a quartet with George Amoth, Harold Beals, and Bob Campbell and remained lifelong friends. He was active with the UW Platteville Alumni and was a true advocate for the university. Lewis proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1957 stationed in Okinawa, Air National Guard 1957-1958 and Air Force Reserve 1958-1961. He was married on Aug. 7, 1960 to Lois R. Strack at David Star Lutheran Church in Kirchayn. Lewis attended St. John's Lutheran Church in Doylestown. After working in several areas of agriculture business, he worked for Geigy Chemical Company, where he was the Midwest sales representative. In the early 1960's he started Contree Sales Inc. until 2001, when the business was sold to his son, Kevin, now Contree Sprayer and Equipment Company LLC in Beaver Dam, Wis. Lew had a wonderful passion for agriculture from raising alfalfa, soy beans, sweet corn, green peas, wheat, sunflowers, Christmas trees, timber and people. He was a Columbus Rotary Club member and past president from 1959-1960. Lewis was co-founder of the Columbus Sportsman Club. He was founder and charter member of the Wisconsin Agri-Business Council and Wisconsin Association of Professional Crop Consultants. Lewis received the Distinguished Service Award from Rhone Poulence Chemical Company in 1997. He received the recognition for years of service by the State Wisconsin Board of Vocational Technical Adult Education, as a member of the State Advisory Community Board for Agri Business. Lewis was a lifetime member of the Wisconsin Fertilizer Chemical Association and also very active with the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Association. In October of 2014, Lewis had the honor and pleasure of being selected to go on the Veterans' Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with his son, Kevin. He is survived by his wife, Lois of 55 years; son, Kevin (Mary Woodman) White; daughter, Tamara (Dean) Heran; grandchildren, Sasha (fiancé, Jacob Lee) Keenan, Sophia, Kye, and Brek; great-granddaughter, Harper; and sisters-in-law; Eunice (Mel) Heckendorf and Charlotte Strack. Lewis is also remembered by many other nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Barbra and Cathryn; and brother, Bruce. A Celebration of Lew's Life will be held at SAVANNA OAKS, 100 Savanna Rd., Fall River, Wis., from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 4, 2016, with military honors being conducted at 7:30 p.m.  Food and refreshments will be provided. If you have a story to share about Lew please join us.In keeping with Lew's wishes (in lieu of flowers), a memorial donation may be made to: Lewis C. White Agriculture Scholarship Fund, c/o F&M Bank of Columbus or St. John's Lutheran Church in Doylestown, Wis. or the charity of your choice. The family would like to give a special thank you to William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Golden Living Center, Beaver Dam VA Clinic, and Heartland Hospice for all their loving care and support. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420