Died: 25 May 2016

Grefe, Paul William age 94 of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin passed away peacefully Wednesday 25 May 2016 at University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.

Paul was born 6 March 1922 in Germantown Township of Juneau County, Wisconsin the son of Henry and Laura (Wermuth) Grefe. 

Paul is survived by a son, Marv Grefe; grandson, Eddy Reinwand; brothers, Henry of New Lisbon, Wisconsin, Fred (Norma) of Wisconsin Dells; and a sister, Phyllis Moore of Mauston. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Savilla; daughter, Sue; brothers, Gaylord, Robert and Harold and sisters, Doris, Dorothy, Eleanor and Beverly

He attended a one room school house in Germantown Township and worked on the family farm. He and his brother, Gaylord, worked for the Civilian Conservation Corp planting trees and cutting pulpwood as young men. Later he went to Milwaukee and worked in several factories and a lumberyard. In his 20’s he worked on ships sailing the Great Lakes transporting vehicles. Then his interest led him to the Merchant Marines during war times. He traveled several time around the world hauling freight, ore, and food products. In the fall of 1949 he bought the farm in Wisconsin Dells with the help of his dad and the money he saved while sailing. Then he married Savilla Westerfeldt on 28 November 1953 in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. Paul was on numerous boards: Kilbourn Co-op Exchange, Wisconsin Dairies, town chairman, fire warden for 26 years, and Adams County Board of Adjustments. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, hunting and telling stories about his excursions. Paul and Savilla retired from farming in 1983 and started fishing, traveling, enjoying life, church and family.

Funeral services were held Wednesday 1 June 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Dells with Reverend Craig Wolfgram officiating. Burial was at Spring Grove Cemetery. Visitation was held at Picha Funeral Home in Wisconsin Dells on Tuesday 31 May 2016 from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Wednesday at Bethany Lutheran Church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at 10:30 a.m.

Paul is a 5th generation descendant of Friedrich and Rosina Seidemann and his genealogy line is as follows: Friedrich, Friedericka, Oscar, Laura, and Paul. He is pictured on page 180 and listed on page 194 in the 4th edition of the Seidemann Family Tree Book. Our sympathies to his family.