Karl Edwin Bobholz

Karl Edwin Bobholz, age 74 of Briggsville, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Friesland with Rev. John Hildebrant officiating. Burial will follow in Friesland Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call on the family at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services. Karl was born on May 13, 1944 in Beaver Dam the son of Edwin and Viola (Tessmann) Bobholz. He attended Friesland Grade School and was a 1962 graduate of Randolph High School. Karl was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” Louise Guptill on Dec. 11, 1965 at the First Presbyterian Church in Horicon. He farmed on the family homestead in the Friesland area until Aug. 1998 when he and Betty moved to Briggsville. Karl was employed with Cliff’s Electric for 20 years, Adams Transit (Cupery & DeYoung), the Cambria-Friesland Schools as a bus driver/maintenance and with Renewal Unlimited for 21 years as a transportation manager. He also did various odd jobs around the area. Karl loved to ride three wheelers and was excited to ride the 90CC when they came out. His hobby was restoring any antique tractor but the John Deere Low Profile 60 was his favorite. Karl was a member of Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Friesland where he served on church council for 13 years. He was a dedicated volunteer firefighter with Friesland Fire Dept. for over 20 years, having the rank of Lieutenant and did maintenance on all the trucks. Karl will be sadly missed and mourned by his wife Betty of Briggsville; his children, Curtis (Debbie) Bobholz of Indianola, IA, Michael (Sheila) Bobholz of Philadelphia, PA, Vicky (Daniel) Miller of Pardeeville and Karl Jr. (Heather) Bobholz of Beaver Dam; six grandsons, Cody Bobholz, Brandon Bobholz, Justin Bobholz, Matt Miller, Aidan Bobholz and Connor Bobholz; two granddaughters, Danielle Miller and Katelyn Bobholz; two great grandsons, Carter Bobholz and Parker Bobholz; one sister, Charlene (Roger) Draker of rural Cambria; sister-in-law, Theresa Bagneski Anderson of rural Randolph; nieces, nephews, several other relatives and many dear friends. Karl was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister Shirley and his brother Melvin. Memorials may be directed to Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Karl’s name. The Kratz-Smedema Funeral Home in Cambria is serving the family. For more information or online condolences please visit www.kratzfh.com.