Robert R. Bliefnick
Robert (Bob) Rudolph Bliefnick, known as Bliefy to close friends and family, passed away Sunday, January 24th, 2021 and rejoined the love of his life, Kate Bliefnick, in heaven after 91 beautiful years on earth.
Bob was born January 22nd, 1930 in the township of Mecan near Montello, WI to parents Rudolph and Bertha (nee Ebert) Bliefnick. He grew up on a farm in the pines of the big bend of the Fox River, the ninth of thirteen children. Living with ten sisters, Bob developed a love of nature while trying to stay out of the house as much as possible. Growing up in the Depression, he learned the value of hard work at an early age, finding creative ways to help the family survive those lean times. He graduated from Brandon High School in 1948 and married his sweetheart, Catherine (Kate) Louise Neitman on November 24th, 1951. With her by his side, they lived, farmed, and raised a family in the Waupun area. Bob was an active member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church of Rogersville, holding many official positions, including council president and captain of the dartball league. He served as president of the Waupun Area School Board for nineteen years, held positions on the board of East Central Breeders/Select Sires, and sat on the Alto Co-Op Board of Directors. He was also an active member of the national, state, and county Holstein Association. Bob will be fondly remembered by many in his community as a pillar of the Weeping Willow 4-H club, where he was a dairy leader and also taught countless young members how to be humble stewards of the land. Bob was an avid hunter of whitetail deer, foxes, coyotes, and any raccoon or possum that trespassed too close to the house and threatened the family pets. During their retirement years, Bob and Kate joined the Rock River Archaeological Society and the Mid-America Geographic Foundation. They enjoyed studying local Native American history and artifacts, and participated in many events centered on that history. Through the years, Bob’s high regard for nature inspired him to plant oak trees everywhere. Like the oak, he will be remembered for his silent strength. He will also be remembered for his devotion to God and family, his love of Wisconsin sports, and his remarkable ability to identify any bird he sighted.
Bob is survived by one sister, Mary Sommerfeldt of Ripon; three children: Nancy (Victor) Schkade of Broken Arrow, OK, James (Linda) Bliefnick of Fond du Lac, and Louisa Bliefnick, his devoted caretaker, of Waupun; one son-in-law, Craig Andrle; 14 grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Kate; one daughter, Amy Andrle; his parents; eleven siblings, and an infant granddaughter, Tammy Michelle Andrle.
The family would like to thank Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac for all the loving end-of-life care they provided, and all of the in-home hospice support staff that helped him stay comfortable at home for so long.
Due to current social restrictions, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home of Waupun and staff are serving the family. Please visit our website at www.wernerharmsenfuneralhome.com for further information and to send condolences.