EARL E. VORPAGEL

      Earl E. Vorpagel, 82, Burlington, died Nov. 13, 2014, at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with leukemia.

He was born in Springfield, on Aug. 10, 1932, to the late Earl and Genevieve (Flemming) Vorpagel. He spent his early life in the Springfield/Lake Geneva area where he graduated from Lake Geneva High School. He attended Milwaukee School of Engineering, graduating with honors in 1969.

He married the ‘most beautiful woman in the world’, Joyce Darlene Steffen, on Sept. 23, 1950. They began life as simple farm kids with a dream of a big family who loved God. Together they raised a family of seven children.

He began his career at Reineman’s and then founded and operated Vorpagel Service, working with a servant’s heart to provide heating and air conditioning in homes and businesses. Following his graduation from MSOE in1969, he earned his private pilot’s license and instrument rating. Flying and traveling with Joyce brought him great joy and allowed him to soar like an eagle. He provided airplane rides for many, but the gift of flight also provided opportunities to attend Packer games and trips to Minocqua. He loved cheering on the Packers at the magical place called Lambeau Field, taking pontoon rides on Lake Shishebogama, and reading a good book while enjoying a cup of tea. He worked hard and didn’t have the words “I can’t” and “I’m bored” in his vocabulary. He was a man of faith with a happy spirit who loved to learn, dance, and spend time with his family. He also loved music, photography, babies, ice cream (he called this medicine), and his favorite frosting – peanut butter. His warm sense of humor will be missed. He was a romantic man and wonderful husband. His girls will miss his Christmas corsages, which were a symbol of his love for his wife; a tradition since their first date on Christmas Eve.

He served in many different areas throughout his life. He was chairman of the Airport Commission, volunteered with the City of Burlington Board of Review, president of the Burlington Cemetery Association, a lifelong member of the ASHRAE, was a Lifeline pilot, a member of Cross Lutheran Church for 40 years where he served the Lord on numerous committees and was currently a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lake Geneva where he continued serving the Lord. (His last heating and air conditioning ‘project’).

Survivors include his wife of 64 years; children, Rev. Dr. Earl (Pat) Vorpagel III, Ellen (Ken) Hanson, Elaine (Bill) Wolters, Elise Pavelsek (friend Bill Corcoran), Eileen (Thomas) Lahiff, Eric (Kelly) Vorpagel, Edward (Lucy) Vorpagel; grandchildren, Jason (Ann) Bartelt, Bailey (Aaron) Morse, Rachel Vorpagel, Hannah Vorpagel, Earl Vorpagel IV, Jennifer (Eric) Plitzuweit, Jarrod (Samantha) Hanson, Justin Hanson, Jacob Hanson, Mark (friend Miranda Van Minnen) Wolters, Caitlin Wolters, Lynn Busch, Jeremy Busch, Matt Busch, Joe Pavelsek, Chris Pavelsek, Emili Palmisano, Nikki Lahiff, Weston Ludwig, Carlie Vorpagel, Erika Vorpagel, Edward Vorpagel Jr. and Elexa Vorpagel; great-grandchildren, Casey Bartelt, Carter Bartelt, Eleanor Morse, Mikella Plitzuweit, McKenzie Plitzuweit, Macie Plitzuweit, Azden Hanson, Emma Hanson, and Julius Hanson; siblings, Lucille (Don) Page, Richard (Mary Jane) Vorpagel, Jean Mohrbacker, and sister-in-law, Ruth Schneider.

He was further preceded in death by his brother, Bob Vorpagel, infant daughter and infant granddaughter, Julie Marie Hanson.

The family would like to thank Dr. Haider and all the nurses and staff at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center in Burlington and all the staff of Aurora Memorial Hospital in Burlington. We would also like to thank Wendy’s team from the VNA Hospice as well as Tammy Beardsley.

The family is suggesting memorials be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Burlington Cemetery Association.

A Celebration of Life is Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 700 N. Bloomfield Road, Lake Geneva, with the Revs. Mary Ann and Mark Moller-Gunderson presiding. Visitation is Monday, Nov. 17, from 4-8 p.m., at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home, 625 S. Browns Lake Drive, Burlington, and Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the church from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Burial will be in Burlington Cemetery at 3 p.m.

Well-wishers can visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.