Russel R. Weisensel, age 81, passed away at St. Mary's Hospital on Sat. January 5, 2013 after a brief illness. He was born on Dec. 23, 1931 to August and Julia (Schmidt) Weisensel. During his youth, he was active in 4-H, exhibiting pure-bred Black Angus cattle and winning the State Speaking contest. Through 4-H, he met the love of his life, Mary Devine. They were married April 24, 1954 at Holy Mother of Consolation in Oregon. They began farming with his parents on the family farm. This farm became a Century Farm in 1976, and is where he lived his entire life. They were blessed with 5 children, David, at home, Kathleen Schink of Potosi, Brian of Waterloo, Daniel (Jan Chapelle) of Sun Prairie, Maureen (Tony) Kilian of New Richmond. Despite a farming accident in 1961 which left him a paraplegic, he lived his life to the fullest. In 1966 he was elected to the State Legislature, where he served 2 terms. He worked for the Wisconsin Agribusiness Council and served as its First Executive Director until his retirement in 2000. Russ was a lifelong agricultural champion. As an advocate for physically and mentally handicapped persons he established groundbreaking accommodations and services.
Russ was recognized as Wisconsin Handicapped Person of the Year in 1968, by the U.W. River Falls Honorary Recognition in 1993, the U.W. Wisconsin-Madison Honorary Recognition in 1997. He was a life-long member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, member of MARC, Dane County Day Care Services Board, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus and past President of the Easter Seals Society.
None of these accomplishments can compare to the love and pride he shared with his family Russel loved with his whole heart, was the definition of integrity, and was unmatched with his work ethic. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary, their 5 children, grandchildren, Henry Schink, Julia (Matt) DeLong, Raymond Schink, Jennifer (Tony Zenke) Weisensel, Nicholas (Sasha Kohn) Weisensel, April (PJ) Eilers; Aron (Kassandra Huffman) Weisensel, Elaine (Bruce) Harris, Ryan Weisensel, Travis Weisensel, Adam Weisensel, Christopher (Lisa) Kilian, Colleen (Lou) Larsen, Patricia, Michelle, Susan and Russel Kilian; and their families including 18 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Lloyd and Jerome; grandson Timothy Weisensel, daughter-in-law Karla Gooch Weisensel and son-in-law Thomas Schink.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in East Bristol with Father Rob Butz presiding. Burial will be held in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at the Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home, 302 Columbus St., in Sun Prairie and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to MARC, the family, or a charity of your choice. Our heartfelt thanks to the doctors and staff in the Emergency Room and Intensive Care Unit at St. Mary's Hospital who worked so tirelessly to try to save Russel's life.
Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home
Sun Prairie, WI 608-837-5400
www.newcomerfh.com