Oliver A. Mesch (1927-2021)

MESCH, LAUGHLIN, PETTERA, CLARK, WATTERS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/26/2021 at 21:22:40

Oliver A. Mesch, age 94, of Hazel Green, WI, passed away at 1:33 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at home surrounded by his family. To celebrate Oliver’s life, family and friends may visit from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque. To honor Oliver’s life, funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Sinsinawa, WI, with Rev. Peter J. Auer officiating. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery, Zwingle, Iowa.

Oliver was born on May 29, 1927, in Dubuque County, Iowa son of Matt and Rose (Steger) Mesch.

He attended the Catholic School in Balltown and grew up working on the family farm south of Zwingle. He married the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betty” Laughlin on August 21, 1950 at Assumption Catholic Church in Zwingle, IA. Oliver also worked for the Milwaukee Road and Soo Line railroad for over 25 years before his retirement in 1990.
He was a very artistic man who liked to create all types of furniture and crafts over the years. He was an accomplished woodworker and was known for his furniture creations. For many years he cast concrete statues to adorn the yards of his family and friends. Oliver and Betty spent a lifetime traveling the country and together they explored all but a few of the 50 states. They enjoyed camping and fishing any chance they had. Oliver always maintained a very upbeat, positive attitude and could find a bright side in any situation. His sense of humor was one of his most endearing qualities. We are deeply saddened at losing Oliver in our daily lives, but his positive attitude and sense of humor will live on in his family forever.

Those left to cherish Oliver’s memory include

his wife of over 70 years,
Elizabeth “Betty” Mesch, Hazel Green, WI;

his children,
Gene Mesch, Oakham, MA
Fay (Bernie) Pettera, Hanover, IL
Gail (Sid) Clark, East Dubuque, IL
Dana Watters, Lyndon Station, WI
Kim Mesch, Dickeyville, WI
Dan Mesch, Sparta, WI

and a special nephew who was always willing to help,
Mark Ehlers, Osterdock, IA.

9 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren

Oliver was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws Bill and Liz Laughlin; a son in infancy, Neil Mesch; a daughter-in-law, Barbara Mesch; a sister, Lucille (Alfred) Bleile; and a brother Lavern (Lillian) Mesch.

Oliver’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Southwest Medical Center and Marquardt Hospice of Wisconsin for the kind, compassionate care they provided to Oliver and his family.

The family will thankfully receive your support through phone calls, greeting cards and memorials in Oliver’s memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Oliver Mesch Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com