William Gene Wiedenbeck
June 15, 1935 - February 05, 2025
Obituary
COTTAGE GROVE - William Gene “Bill” Wiedenbeck, age 89, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2025, at Oak Park Place in Madison. He was born in Madison on June 15, 1935, the third son of Herman P. and Margaret A. (Piersig) Wiedenbeck.
Essentially living the life of a teenager for the last thirty years, Bill loved to galivant around the Midwest to visit family and friends, create beautiful utilitarian objects with clay, capture landscapes and life through his camera lens, play his bass trombone and sing for the glory of God. He followed his passions with a zest few his age could match!
Prior to this, however, Bill was a hardworking and devoted husband and father. As he told it many times, he met the love of his life, Diane Jean Robar, during his second attempt at freshman algebra during his sophomore year at Madison East High School, from which he graduated in 1953. He and Diane were married in 1956 and celebrated 61 years together before her passing in 2018.
Bill served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954 to 1957. Upon returning to Madison, he worked as a telegram messenger for Western Union, a drafter at Varigraph, Inc. and a driver for Yellow Cab Company before beginning a 36-year career in the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Following his retirement in 1994, he founded and operated Wiedenbeck Consulting Ltd., presumably to keep busy after he left the DOT.
But there was already plenty to keep him busy! Bill was passionate about pottery and loved to spend time at Bethel Horizons creating better versions of his hand-thrown bowls, plates, and cups. He enjoyed watercolors and took many painting courses and was also a talented woodworker. Photography was another source of joy for him, and his family almost grew accustomed to the flash of his camera in their faces.
The power of music was strong in Bill’s life from youth on and he made sure his children were raised with a strong music background, as well. Bill had an extensive classical collection of vinyl, and adored listening to Symphony Hall on SiriusXM radio while driving. While he sang in the Bethel Choir for more than sixty-five years straight, there was a more than a fifty-year gap between his trombone playing days in high school and the year he picked up a bass trombone to play with the New Horizons Swing and Concert Bands. For more than twenty years, Wednesday night rehearsals and regular concerts were highlights in his schedule.
Bill was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Bethel Horizons and, from its inception, the Bethel Camera Club. And if you knew Bill, you also knew how he excelled at telling stories!
Bill was a dedicated family man, and he was determined to help his offspring realize their unique talents. He is survived by his children, Diane Kay (Randy) Veale, Debra (Paul) Whitmore, Cheryl (Karl) Dietmeyer and Robert (Lisa) Wiedenbeck; grandchildren, Laura (Evan) Ferree, Lauren (Matthew) Hill, Karla (Dietmeyer) Peters, John (Nicole) Whitmore, Ryan (Samantha), Kevin and Sean Hergenrother; and great-grandchildren, Caroline and Jesse Ferree, Cecelia and Nolan Hill and Owen Whitmore. He is further survived by his brother, Lyle (JoAnn) Wiedenbeck; sister, Gail Kittrell; brother-in-law, James (Cindy) Robar; and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Diane J. Wiedenbeck; his parents; brother, Allen; and sister-in-law, Viola Wiedenbeck.
A Celebration of Life will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave, Madison, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, with Pastors Dave Wrightsman and Jeff Quinto presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the memorial service on Friday. Private family burial will be held at Highland Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Music Ministry of Bethel Lutheran Church and to the Bethel Horizons Wildlife Blind.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional staff of BrightStar Care, Agrace HospiceCare, and Oak Park Place Madison East Grandview Autumn Lane Memory Unit for their skilled and compassionate care for Bill during his final days. In addition, sincere appreciation goes to Judi Griffin for her friendship and many kindnesses to Bill, especially these last years of his life.
Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. His legacy of goofiness, creativity, generosity, kindness and devotion to family and faith will be forever remembered.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420