Florian Buechner

Cross Plains - Florian L. Buechner, age 89, passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2009. He was born on February 15, 1920, in Marxville, the son of Carl and Catherine (Hellenbrand) Buechner. He was a veteran of WWII having served with the U.S. Army from February of 1942 through January of 1946. During his service he spent 16 months on Adak in the Aleutian Islands. Florian married Edith Saeman on February 19, 1946 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Cross Plains. He loved being a farmer and took great pride in caring for his animals. Florian was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and belonged to the American Legion Post 245 for over 60 years and a charter member of the Knights of Columbus 3924 Council and served as Grand Knight for two years. Florian enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing cards, cracking and shelling hickory nuts, gardening and watching things grow. He loved telling stories about his childhood and was a loyal blood donor to the American Red Cross. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Edith; children, John (Eileen) of Cross Plains, Tom (Maggie) of Cross Plains, Jim ( Diane) of Madison, Janet (Lee) Kernen of Montello and Rita Buechner of Green Bay; 7 grandchildren, Wendy (Todd) Weisenbeck, Debbie (Trent) Mefford, Tracy (Robert) Mickelson, Bill (Jill) Buechner, Jenny Buechner, Sherry Buechner and Scott Buechner; great grandchildren, Samuel and Jackson Mefford and one Mickelson on the way; 5 sisters, Sr. Mary Buechner, Lorina "Blondie" Buechner, Delores Ripp, Betty (Bill) Plendl and Rosie Johnson; 2 brothers, Andrew Buechner and Charles (Louise) Buechner; sister-in-law, Elaine Buechner and brother-in-law, Gilbert Stephan and further survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark; brother, Tony; sister, Cyrilla Stephan; sister-in-law, Adella Buechner and 2 brothers-in-law, Jerome Ripp and Ken Johnson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains with Fr. Thomas Kelly presiding. Burial will follow at the church cemetery with military rites being conducted by the American Legion Post 245. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and also on Wednesday, from 9:30 a.m. until time of the service at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare Inc. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Creekwood Assisted Living in Waunakee, HospiceCare Inc. and Dr. Daniel Jarzemsky and his staff at the U.W. Health Clinic in Cross Plains for their loving care.