Vilas Roy Herold

Vilas Roy Herold, 84 of Alma, WI died Monday June 17, 2013 at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, WI. He was born on May 21, 1929 at the family homestead in rural Alma, to Edgar and Esther (Iberg) Herold. Vilas was united in marriage to Doris Steinke on June 12, 1949 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gilmanton. To this union, three children were born. Doris preceded Vilas in death in May of 1996. On February 14, 2004 Vilas married Judy Mork at Lyster Lutheran Church. Vilas was a longtime farmer, working until his retirement in 1986. Even after his retirement, you could find him helping milk the cows. Vilas was a very good mechanic, able to fix most anything put in front of him, it is said that one summer he repaired 100 lawn mowers. For many years Vilas drove bus for the Alma Area Schools. Vilas was an active parishioner of the Alma United Methodist Church serving on various committees over the years. He was also the president of the Herold cemetery, and a member and past president of the Arc of the United States. Vilas was always a faithful volunteer for the Buffalo County food pantry. He will be remembered for his love of traveling. He traveled across the country, and was able to be with his family visiting many States in the U.S. He had a caring and welcoming personality, being able to make friends with those he met. He was known to be a stern man with a soft and gentle touch. Surviving Vilas are his wife, Judy, of Alma; three children, Chuck Herold of Alma, Luann (Wayne) Babros of Alma and Amy (Phil) Kriesel of Rhinelander. His grandchildren, Michael, Nicole, Lauren, Taylor, Kimberlee, and Kristopher; eight great grandchildren; step children, Dale, Debbie and Mike; step grandchildren Stephanie, Mathew and Emily; great granddaughter, Ellah; one brother, Verlyn (Norma) of Alma; also by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents and first wife, Doris, Vilas was preceded in death by his sister, Delores Herold. A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 21 at 2:30 PM at St. John Lutheran Church with Pastors Mary Balson, Joel Bacon and Michael Vetsch as tri-officiating. Burial will follow at Herold Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 20 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Talbot Family Funeral Home, Alma Chapel and again on Friday from 1:30 PM until the hour of the service at the Church. Online words of comfort may be sent to www.talbotfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Vilas would be appreciated to the donor’s choice.