Arthur C. 'Art' Woerpel

MADISON – Arthur C. “Art” Woerpel , age 95, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, following a year-long battle with cancer. He was born on April 17, 1916, in Marshall, the son of Henry and Lillian Woerpel. Art graduated from Medina Free High School at Marshall in 1934. In 1942, Art left for the Army and was stationed around the United States before being sent to England and later, France. A sergeant with the 516th Ordinance Company, he was stationed outside Paris. He was seriously injured when his jeep hit a land mine and he was evacuated to England. His medical needs required his transfer to the United States, where he spent many months in hospitals before being discharged in the summer of 1945. On April 17, 1948, Art married Margaret Pauline Rood at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Madison. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this year. Art was the Purchasing Director for Dane County from 1947 until his retirement in 1978. He was also involved in and supported many civic organizations during his life: The American Legion Post 279; Disabled American Veterans Chapter 5 ; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1318; Military Order of the Purple Heart; Masonic Lodge -32nd Degree Scottish Rite; Hiram #50; the Shriners; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #410; the Chanters; the Society for the Preservation of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America; the Marshall United Methodist Church; Bashford United Methodist Church; and First United Methodist Church of Madison. Art lived his life following his philosophy of “the Four M’s”: He worked hard to be a Man living his Methodist faith, upholding the ideals of the Masonic Order, while pursuing a life of Moderation. It was his faith and family that were the center of his life and made him the happiest. He will be remembered by many for his generosity, his dedication to family, his patriotism, and his practice of ‘FLIPPING ’ – houses. Art and Pauline lived in over 30 homes during their life together. Art is survived by his wife, Margaret Pauline “Maggie”; his sister, Katherine Radke; his five children, Linda (Charles) Caprariello of Middleton, Susan Duval of Milwaukee, Karen (Robert) Jones of Madison, Peter (Deborah) Woerpel of La Crosse, and Julie (Kris) of Monona; eight grandchildren, Steven, Katherine and Gregory Jones, Peter, Andrew and Alex Caprariello, Maggie (Chris) Ask and Cassie Woerpel; and his first great-grandchild due in February. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Art was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Raymond, Robert, and Herbert Woerpel; sisters, Marie Gingles and Dorothy Hein Reisdorf; and son-in-law, Dick Duval. We will miss dad in ways that we are only beginning to understand. Yet, we know that he would want us to celebrate our lives, our children’s lives, and to continue to pass on his many lessons. Funeral Services will be held at MARSHALL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 318 William St., Marshall, WI at 1:30 PM on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011, with Pastors Marianne Cotter and Afi Dobbins presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, and also at the church from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service on Sunday. Memorials may be made to the Marshall United Methodist Church or Disabled American Veterans. Our family extends their grateful appreciation to Agrace Hospice and Heritage Monona for their loving care and support. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, and also at the church from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service on Sunday. Funeral services will be held at MARSHALL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 318 William Street, Marshall, at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011.