OBITUARY: Howard F. “Howie” Fochs

Howard F. “Howie” Fochs, age 92, of Hilbert, died on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at Frontida Assisted Living in Kimberly. He was born August 26, 1929 in Hilbert, son of the late Mathias & Mary Ann (Biederwolf) Fochs. Howie married Roselin Ruhland on May 28, 1952 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Hilbert.

Besides all kinds of odds and ends jobs, Howie farmed in the Town of Woodville on the family homestead and later worked at White Clover Dairy until his retirement at the age of 62. He often commented that it was the best decision he made so he could enjoy more quality time with his beloved wife who preceded him in death on August 23, 2000.

He was a long time member of St. John Catholic Church in St. John, and was often thought of by many to be “the face” of the parish because of his constant and dedicated service to everything and everyone who walked through the doors of that church.

Howie had a voice that resonated with those who heard it, and he used it to bring joy to others. He loved to sing in the church choir, enjoyed being called upon to be the Square Dance Caller at dances, and used his voice to help keep his children in line.

In his free time, Howie cherished time spent dancing with his wife, playing cards with family & friends and snowmobiling. His love of Square Dancing opened up opportunities to not only be a Square Dance Caller, but also gave him a passion for teaching others how to Square Dance. Using his voice once again, Howie was proud to have been inducted into the Square Dance Caller Hall of Fame.

Survivors include his children: Richard (Suzanne) Fochs, Thomas Fochs, Kenneth (Sharon) Fochs, Charlie (Jerilyn) Fochs, Patricia (Steve) Kulas, Carol (Thomas) Riggert, Gloria Fochs, Monica (Darrell) Stahl; 19 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; his siblings: Alfred Fochs, Rita Burns, Mathias (Pat) Fochs, Arthur (Sue) Fochs; and his siblings-in-law: Donna Jensen, Paul (Diane) Ruhland, Ruth (John) Moses, Alice Ruhland, Leon (Pat) Ruhland & Barb (Bob) LeCaire. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Howie was preceded in death by his parents: Mathias & Mary Ann; father and mother-in-law: Isadore & Anita (Schneider) Ruhland; step-father: Clem Kampa; his wife: Roselin; a daughter-in-law: Susan Fochs; a grandchild: Brenda Fochs; his siblings: LaVerne (Gib) Schumacher, Lucille (Harold) VanHaren, Nancy Diedrich; a step brother: Carl (Bernice) Kampa; and siblings-in-law: Joe (Karen) Ruhland, Donald Ruhland & Dianne Ruhland.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at St. John Catholic Church in St. John, Wisconsin with Rev. Michael Betley officiating. Burial will follow in the Parish Cemetery. Friends may call at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Monday, November 29, 2021 and on Tuesday at the church from 9:30 am until 10:45 am. A vigil service will take place at the close of the visitation Monday evening at the Wieting Family Funeral Home.

The family would like to express heartfelt thank you's to Frontida Assisted Living, Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital and Century Ridge for their kind care given to Howie.

Those wishing to watch an archived video of the funeral service, you may do so by visiting wietingfuneralhome.com and follow the links.