Maurice L. Landon

Maurice L. Landon, age 91, passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at Orchard Manor Nursing Home in Lancaster, WI, surrounded by the most caring and nurturing staff a person could ask for. He was born at home on the family farm on January 23, 1926 in Little Grant Township. The eldest child of Ellsworth & Elva Landon, Maurice spent his entire life in Lancaster. He attended Pine Knob School until the 8th grade, and then started his life long career as a dairy farmer. He helped his father on the family farm up until the time he joined the US Army and was drafted into the Korean War Conflict. Upon discharge, Maurice became a farm hand up to the time his Grandfather suggested he start farming on his own. He married Charlotte Hollenberger on September 12, 1953 and the two were married for 53 years at the time of Charlotte's death in 2007. They farmed together until they retired in 1990 and moved off the farm. Through the years besides farming, Maurice also worked as a Property Accessor, did custom corn chopping, and both he and Charlotte drove school bus for the Lancaster School District. Maurice was a charter member of the West Grant Saddle Club which is still in existence today. He also was a past Grant County 4-H Leader and Superintendent at the Grant County Fair. After retiring, both Maurice and Charlotte drove bus for the elderly at Grant County Commission on Aging, which was a big change from transporting children. Maurice was always a favorite driver of most of the female passengers. He was always giving them compliments and always offered to carry their belongings into their homes, things he wasn't supposed to do, but something he always insisted on doing. They often times would bring him little treats, but he was always sure to consume whatever he was given before he got home, as Charlotte always told him he wasn't supposed to be taking those things. Another big accomplishment Maurice was always proud of, was the award-winning maple syrup he learned to make, and made for several years with his sister and brother-in-law, Irene and John Seippel. They would gather the sap from the trees and Maurice would spend hours cooking in a cooker made from an old stainless steel bulk tank. Like anything he ever did or got involved in, he had it down to a science.

Maurice always enjoyed being around others and always had a story to tell. He was always willing to lend a hand to whoever needed it, even if he was in the middle of doing things himself. Maurice was all about family. Raising a family on a dairy farm was never easy, but he always made sure to make time for his family, even as his family grew through the years. Maurice loved to dance, and would often come in from outside to dance with Charlotte around the kitchen in the middle of the day. When grandchildren started coming along, he always made sure they all learned his phone number. Whenever they wanted to come over to see Grandpa and Grandma, all they would have to do is call him and he would come right over to get them. This was a regular occurrence and that number was called and used a lot since they all lived within 10 miles.

Maurice is survived by his children, Paul (Maggie), Julie (Joe) Budworth, David (Colleen) all of Lancaster, WI, and Dennis of Madison, WI, 12 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Irene (John) Seippel, Phyllis (Gene) Klaas, Leo (Clara), Cecil (Janice) along with in-laws: Ruby Landon, Jerry Krohn, Irma Atkinson, Adeline Atkinson, Vivian (Joe) Moore, John (Jeanette) Hollenberger, Doug (Colleen) Hollenberger, Elaine Hollenberger, Alan (Wendy) Hollenberger, and his aunt LaVon Edge.

He was preceded in death by his wife and soul mate Charlotte, his parents Ellsworth and Elva, brother Virgil, sister Ruth Krohn, his in-laws: Paul and Carol Hollenberger, sister/brother in laws Willard Hollenberger, Pauline Hollenberger, Eunice(Richard) Dressler, Grant Atkinson, Leo Atkinson. He is also preceded in death by his great-grandson, Calvin Haas.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory, 1234 S Madison St., Lancaster, with Ronnie Wilson officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends may call on Sunday, July 16, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.