John F. Kaiser

John F. Kaiser, age 77, of Hayward, WI passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at his home. 

John Fredric Kaiser was born February 24, 1942 in Madison, WI the son of Fredrick and Emma Christina (Klove) Kaiser.  In his youth his parents moved out to Lake Mendota where John began his love of life on the lake.  John graduated from Madison Central High School in 1960 and continued his education at Madison Business College.  John received a degree in Business Administration and then began work at Appliance Products Company, a metal fabrication business, founded by his grandfather and father.  John became president of the company where he spent his entire career.  While working John resided in Token Creek and Madison, WI.  On June 7, 1980, he married Marlen Peterson in Sun Prairie, WI.  During his career, he served many organizations including, State Chairman and National Trustee of Ducks Unlimited, Co-Chairman of the Big Chip Fish Fest, Vice Chairman and Board of Directors of Chippewa Flowage Property Owners Association.  John also was a sponsor in Perpetuity of Ducks Unlimited and funded an endowment with the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin to benefit Wisconsin’s natural resources and wildlife.  He retired in November of 1999.  John and Marlen moved to Hayward, WI in 2004.  The gardens at Kaiser’s Kabin were their pride and joy and inspired John to take classes that earned him Master Gardening credentials.  He also followed migration of birds, and enjoyed feeding, watching and photographing them.  In fact, this year he left the warmth of the Florida Keys as to not miss the arrival of orioles, hummingbirds and rose breasted grosbeaks.   In 2011, he and Marlen purchased a condo in Tavernier, FL where they would spend their winters.  Fishing in the Keys with Captain Richard Black was John’s happy place.  He loved fishing for the elusive bonefish.  His best catch, a huge one, within one pound of the world record.  John was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish.  Preservation and sustainability of the land became his life long mission.  He especially cherished time spent hunting deer and turkey with family and friends at Kaiser’s Deer Kamp in Pardeeville, WI.  Other hunting adventures included duck, goose, and pheasant hunting with close friends.

John is survived by his children, Kim (Chris) Engle of Grand Rapids, MI, David (Nikki) Kaiser of Nolensville, TN, Gina (Pat) Wherley of Sun Prairie, WI; grandchildren, Andy Engle, Rachel (Brennon) Dick, Ray Engle, Hayden Kaiser, Isabella Benoy, McCrae Barclay, Emily Wherley, and Brendan Wherley; and his companion, JoAnn Walsh.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Marlen.

A memorial service celebrating John’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, at First Lutheran Church in Hayward with Pastor Joel Bacon officiating.  A time of gathering with family and friends will be held from noon until the time of service at the church. 

In lieu of flowers memorial may be directed to the Hayward Community Food Shelf, PO Box 779, Hayward, WI 54843 or Madison Audubon Society – Goose Pond Sanctuary, 1400 E Washington Ave, Suite 170, Madison, WI 53703 or charity of choice.

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