Herman Hediger Jr

Herman Hediger, Jr, 83, Neillsville, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 23, 2016. He was born May 8, 1932, in Christie, WI to Herman and Hanna (Harder) Hediger, Sr. He attended elementary school in Christie, then went to Neillsville Public Schools where he graduated in 1951. He attended the University of Wisconsin earning his short course degree as a Cheesemaker. Herman joined the Army in May 1956, and was stationed in Germany, receiving an honorable discharge in March 1958. In November 1956, he married Charlotte Buettner. They later divorced but remained very close. He led an extraordinary life with a strong work ethic. He was a Cheesemaker for Hediger Dairy. He drove semi for and later became owner/operator of Christie Milk Transport accumulating over 3 million miles driven across the US. As President of the WI Independent Truckers Assn, he was instrumental in legislative reform in the trucking industry in the mid-70s at both the state and federal levels. He helped start the truck driver training school at District One Technical Institute (now CVTC) in Eau Claire, WI as well as serving on their advisory board for many years and mentoring many local truck drivers. He also served on the State DOT Advisory Board. He traveled extensively across the US, Europe and Australia, wrote two books, worked with wood building many things from cedar and barn boards, enjoyed music, reading, writing and spending time with his family.He is survived by his children, Lucretia (JC) Crawford, Sheboygan, Ernst Hediger, Neillsville, Loleta "Punk" (Bill) Montgomery, Granton, Erika Kurasz, Neillsville, Clara Hediger, Granton, Heidi Hediger, Sheboygan, Crispin (Lisa) Hediger, Neillsville, and Lydia (Ron) Schumacher, Neillsville as well as his ex-wife Charlotte (David) Tetzlaff of Neillsville, siblings Hanna (Bernie) Opelt of De Pere, Meg (Art) Schroeder of Corvalis, MT, Rosie (Bob) Knoop and Fritz (Dixie) Hediger of Neillsville, 11 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and 3 step-great-grandchildren. He's predeceased by his parents, a brother, Kurt, an infant brother and a great-grandson.Wednesday, January 27, 2016, family and friends will gather at Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville at 2 pm for visitation with a memorial service at 4 pm. Military Honors will follow the service. Herman chose to be cremated with a private interment at a later date.Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Herman's family with Funeral arrangements.Funeral Home:Gesche Funeral Home4 South Grand AvenueNeillsville, WIUS 54456