Edward Flesch

 Edward Flesch, age 88, of Platteville, died on  Friday, February 29, 2008 at Heartland Health Care Center in Platteville with his family surrounding his bedside after enduring Alzheimer

s Disease. Beany, as he was known to all, was born on  December 22, 1919, at home in  Potosi to Edward and Emma (Duve) Flesch. He graduated from  Potosi  High School in 1937 and went to college in Platteville for one year.

In the spring of 1941, he went to  California to work as a bakery delivery man with his brother, Martin. Beany came back in the fall of that year to marry Eileen Walker of Miles City, Montana. The couple was married on October 28, 1941 in  Lancaster,  WI. The newlyweds returned to  California until February 1942, when Beany was drafted into the army.

He was in the army for 3

years, stationed in  North Carolina,  Texas and  Mississippi. He was sent to the European theatre in August of 1944, where he served with the 609^th Tank Destroyers, as their company clerk. He was proud to say that the men never missed a pay day while he was company clerk. Beany was honorably discharged in September of 1945.

The couple then settled in  Potosi where he worked for Walsh

s Store in Tennyson and later with Arno Keehner in  Potosi. In 1950, they moved to  Harlowton,  Montana to run a gas station and later worked for a car dealership. During their time in  Montana, Beany loved to fly fish, hunt deer, elk and antelope.

The family moved back to Platteville in 1956 where Beany worked for several implement businesses. He later ran Flesch Implement in  Potosi from 1964 p> 1984. He worked there until closing the shop and then worked as a rural route mail carrier around  Potosi. Beany finally retired in 1989.

Beany belonged to the Berg Averkamp VFW Post No. 5276 in  Potosi, which he helped to start. He was also a member of the Leo M. Kane American Legion Post No. 42 and St. Mary

s Catholic Church, both in Platteville. Beany and Eileen had a great life together. Family was most important. Beany has been to more cross country meets, football, volleyball games and tennis matches for his children and grandchildren than one could count. He was often with friends and family hunting mushrooms in the spring, fishing on the river, growing huge potatoes, or pitching horse shoes. He was a Green Bay Packer fan, loved to study the history of  Potosi and look up the family genealogy. He will be remembered as a good friend, always willing to give of his time to help others out. Beany was a loving father, grandfather and husband who worked hard and lived out positive values for others to follow.

Beany is survived by his wife of 66 years, Eileen Flesch, Platteville; nine children: David (Joan) Flesch, Mansfield, PA and children Amy, Gail and Carla; Barbara (Jim) Smith, Pima, AZ; Bruce (Carla) Flesch, Platteville; Sarah (Jim) Barutha, Bozeman, MT and children Debbie, Kate and Philip; Bill (Chris) Flesch, East Dubuque, IL and children Melissa, Maureen, Melanie and Ryan; Pat Flesch, Platteville; Dan (Beth) Flesch, Platteville and children Nathan, Kurt and Joel; Alan Flesch (Mary Wunderlin), Platteville; Barry (Diane) Flesch, Baraboo and children Ely and Anica. They also have three step-grandchildren, Rob, Roger and Jia Smith; six great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. He is further survived by a sister, Marcella Udelhofen, Platteville and a brother, Jerry (Nancy) Flesch, Des Moines, Iowa; three sisters-in-law Lillian Flesch, Mineral Point, Jo Flesch, Evansville and Mary Bishell, Lancaster; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters and four brothers: Mary (Earl) Rider, Martin

Buck

(Dorothy) Flesch, Evans Flesch, Kathryn (Harry) Wann, Dorothy (George) Johnson, Clarence

Sleepy

Flesch, Francis

Blacky

Flesch; two brothers-in-law, Ray Udelhofen and Burnell Bishell.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at  11:00 a.m. on  Monday, March 3, 2008 at St. Mary

s Catholic Church in Platteville with Monsignor Charles Schluter officiating. Burial was in  Calvary  Cemetery, Platteville where Military Rites were accorded by the Berg Avercamp VFW Post #5276 of  Potosi. Visitation was held on Sunday, March 2 from  3:00 until  7:00 p.m. at St. Mary

s Catholic Church in Platteville with a Parish Rosary Service at 3:00 p.m. Friends were also welcomed from  9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday at the church.