Claude M. Hunt, 79, of 821 Macomber St., Chippewa Falls, died Thursday evening, June 29, 2006, at The Rutledge Home in Chippewa Falls surrounded by his loved ones during the last days of his life.
Claude Martin Hunt was born on Feb. 26, 1927, to Christie (Withie) and Martin Ray Hunt in Todd County, S.D., near the little town of Kilgore, Neb.
He started his life's journey living on a small farm located on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in southwest South Dakota. His father and mother farmed there with the help of their five sons, surviving blizzards, sandstorms, hoards of grasshoppers, the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.
In 1938, they moved onto a farm near Sheldon, Wis. In 1941, the family moved again, this time to a farm near Bloomer.
Claude often would tell stories of his many adventures growing up on the farm, such as the time their house burned down and all five boys had to sleep in the barn until the house could be rebuilt.
He graduated from Bloomer High School in 1945, and after that, he moved back to North Dakota to farm for five years, only to return to Wisconsin in 1953.
In 1955, he was introduced to his future wife, Lucille Johanna Gehl, by her older brother, Leon. He would often recall that his first thoughts upon seeing her were, "She's beautiful!" Claude and Lucille were married on Sept. 15, 1956, at the E.U.B. Church in Chippewa Falls.
After his return from North Dakota, Claude operated his own painting business with his brother, Carl, for several years. He used the slower times in the winter to build his own house for their growing family.
In 1957, Claude and Carl formed a new business, Hunt Brothers Drywall, which they operated together for 15 years. The two would later operate individual businesses, but both stayed in the drywall business until 1981, when Claude formed the company, Claude Hunt Builder. He continued in the building business until 1999.
His retirement years were devoted to the things he cherished most in life, his relationship with Jesus Christ, his family, building, and hunting and fishing.
While the family was growing up, Claude was an active church member. In his later years, he was construction manager for the building of a Christian school at Christ Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls and used his building skills to help Luther Point Bible Camp in Grantsburg.
He was always actively involved in his children's activities and continued this involvement when grandchildren came along. He loved spending time with each child and knew how to make each one feel special. He loved hunting and fishing, but often gave up time for these to be there for his family.
His simple, yet deep, faith has been evidenced these last few years as he has lovingly taken care of his wife, Lucille, who is living with Alzheimer's disease. The staff and residents at The Rutledge Home in Chippewa Falls have often been the recipients of his smile and light-hearted laugh as he served as a volunteer at the home.
Recently, Claude passed on his words of advice to his family in this way: "Never ever lose your Christian faith. It is the most important thing there is. Secondly, take care of each other and your families. And then, after that, serve others because what is really important at the end of your life is what you have done for others."
Claude is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Lucille; one son, David (Cheryl) Hunt of Bloomington, Minn.; one daughter, Nancy (Bruce) Sommerfeld of Hudson; and seven grandchildren, Elizabeth and Rebecca Hunt, and Karen, John, Benjamin, Emily, and Andrew Sommerfeld. Also surviving are his four brothers, Clarence Hunt of Naples, Fla., Clifford (Valeria) Hunt, Carl (Irene) Hunt, and Harold (Marian) Hunt, all of Chippewa Falls; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Christie Hunt.
A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 3, 2006, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Richard Estrem-Fuller officiating. Interment will follow at Auburn Cemetery, town of Auburn.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel in Chippewa Falls, and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church.
Memorials in Claude's name to The Rutledge Home or Alzheimer's Association would be appreciated.
Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.
Claude Martin Hunt was born on Feb. 26, 1927, to Christie (Withie) and Martin Ray Hunt in Todd County, S.D., near the little town of Kilgore, Neb.
He started his life's journey living on a small farm located on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in southwest South Dakota. His father and mother farmed there with the help of their five sons, surviving blizzards, sandstorms, hoards of grasshoppers, the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.
In 1938, they moved onto a farm near Sheldon, Wis. In 1941, the family moved again, this time to a farm near Bloomer.
Claude often would tell stories of his many adventures growing up on the farm, such as the time their house burned down and all five boys had to sleep in the barn until the house could be rebuilt.
He graduated from Bloomer High School in 1945, and after that, he moved back to North Dakota to farm for five years, only to return to Wisconsin in 1953.
In 1955, he was introduced to his future wife, Lucille Johanna Gehl, by her older brother, Leon. He would often recall that his first thoughts upon seeing her were, "She's beautiful!" Claude and Lucille were married on Sept. 15, 1956, at the E.U.B. Church in Chippewa Falls.
After his return from North Dakota, Claude operated his own painting business with his brother, Carl, for several years. He used the slower times in the winter to build his own house for their growing family.
In 1957, Claude and Carl formed a new business, Hunt Brothers Drywall, which they operated together for 15 years. The two would later operate individual businesses, but both stayed in the drywall business until 1981, when Claude formed the company, Claude Hunt Builder. He continued in the building business until 1999.
His retirement years were devoted to the things he cherished most in life, his relationship with Jesus Christ, his family, building, and hunting and fishing.
While the family was growing up, Claude was an active church member. In his later years, he was construction manager for the building of a Christian school at Christ Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls and used his building skills to help Luther Point Bible Camp in Grantsburg.
He was always actively involved in his children's activities and continued this involvement when grandchildren came along. He loved spending time with each child and knew how to make each one feel special. He loved hunting and fishing, but often gave up time for these to be there for his family.
His simple, yet deep, faith has been evidenced these last few years as he has lovingly taken care of his wife, Lucille, who is living with Alzheimer's disease. The staff and residents at The Rutledge Home in Chippewa Falls have often been the recipients of his smile and light-hearted laugh as he served as a volunteer at the home.
Recently, Claude passed on his words of advice to his family in this way: "Never ever lose your Christian faith. It is the most important thing there is. Secondly, take care of each other and your families. And then, after that, serve others because what is really important at the end of your life is what you have done for others."
Claude is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Lucille; one son, David (Cheryl) Hunt of Bloomington, Minn.; one daughter, Nancy (Bruce) Sommerfeld of Hudson; and seven grandchildren, Elizabeth and Rebecca Hunt, and Karen, John, Benjamin, Emily, and Andrew Sommerfeld. Also surviving are his four brothers, Clarence Hunt of Naples, Fla., Clifford (Valeria) Hunt, Carl (Irene) Hunt, and Harold (Marian) Hunt, all of Chippewa Falls; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Christie Hunt.
A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 3, 2006, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Richard Estrem-Fuller officiating. Interment will follow at Auburn Cemetery, town of Auburn.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel in Chippewa Falls, and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church.
Memorials in Claude's name to The Rutledge Home or Alzheimer's Association would be appreciated.
Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.
Claude M. Hunt, 79, of 821 Macomber St., Chippewa Falls, died Thursday evening, June 29, 2006, at The Rutledge Home in Chippewa Falls surrounded by his loved ones during the last days of his life.
Claude Martin Hunt was born on Feb. 26, 1927, to Christie (Withie) and Martin Ray Hunt in Todd County, S.D., near the little town of Kilgore, Neb.
He started his life's journey living on a small farm located on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in southwest South Dakota. His father and mother farmed there with the help of their five sons, surviving blizzards, sandstorms, hoards of grasshoppers, the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.
In 1938, they moved onto a farm near Sheldon, Wis. In 1941, the family moved again, this time to a farm near Bloomer.
Claude often would tell stories of his many adventures growing up on the farm, such as the time their house burned down and all five boys had to sleep in the barn until the house could be rebuilt.
He graduated from Bloomer High School in 1945, and after that, he moved back to North Dakota to farm for five years, only to return to Wisconsin in 1953.
In 1955, he was introduced to his future wife, Lucille Johanna Gehl, by her older brother, Leon. He would often recall that his first thoughts upon seeing her were, "She's beautiful!" Claude and Lucille were married on Sept. 15, 1956, at the E.U.B. Church in Chippewa Falls.
After his return from North Dakota, Claude operated his own painting business with his brother, Carl, for several years. He used the slower times in the winter to build his own house for their growing family.
In 1957, Claude and Carl formed a new business, Hunt Brothers Drywall, which they operated together for 15 years. The two would later operate individual businesses, but both stayed in the drywall business until 1981, when Claude formed the company, Claude Hunt Builder. He continued in the building business until 1999.
His retirement years were devoted to the things he cherished most in life, his relationship with Jesus Christ, his family, building, and hunting and fishing.
While the family was growing up, Claude was an active church member. In his later years, he was construction manager for the building of a Christian school at Christ Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls and used his building skills to help Luther Point Bible Camp in Grantsburg.
He was always actively involved in his children's activities and continued this involvement when grandchildren came along. He loved spending time with each child and knew how to make each one feel special. He loved hunting and fishing, but often gave up time for these to be there for his family.
His simple, yet deep, faith has been evidenced these last few years as he has lovingly taken care of his wife, Lucille, who is living with Alzheimer's disease. The staff and residents at The Rutledge Home in Chippewa Falls have often been the recipients of his smile and light-hearted laugh as he served as a volunteer at the home.
Recently, Claude passed on his words of advice to his family in this way: "Never ever lose your Christian faith. It is the most important thing there is. Secondly, take care of each other and your families. And then, after that, serve others because what is really important at the end of your life is what you have done for others."
Claude is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Lucille; one son, David (Cheryl) Hunt of Bloomington, Minn.; one daughter, Nancy (Bruce) Sommerfeld of Hudson; and seven grandchildren, Elizabeth and Rebecca Hunt, and Karen, John, Benjamin, Emily, and Andrew Sommerfeld. Also surviving are his four brothers, Clarence Hunt of Naples, Fla., Clifford (Valeria) Hunt, Carl (Irene) Hunt, and Harold (Marian) Hunt, all of Chippewa Falls; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Christie Hunt.
A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 3, 2006, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Richard Estrem-Fuller officiating. Interment will follow at Auburn Cemetery, town of Auburn.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel in Chippewa Falls, and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church.
Memorials in Claude's name to The Rutledge Home or Alzheimer's Association would be appreciated.
Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.
Claude Martin Hunt was born on Feb. 26, 1927, to Christie (Withie) and Martin Ray Hunt in Todd County, S.D., near the little town of Kilgore, Neb.
He started his life's journey living on a small farm located on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in southwest South Dakota. His father and mother farmed there with the help of their five sons, surviving blizzards, sandstorms, hoards of grasshoppers, the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.
In 1938, they moved onto a farm near Sheldon, Wis. In 1941, the family moved again, this time to a farm near Bloomer.
Claude often would tell stories of his many adventures growing up on the farm, such as the time their house burned down and all five boys had to sleep in the barn until the house could be rebuilt.
He graduated from Bloomer High School in 1945, and after that, he moved back to North Dakota to farm for five years, only to return to Wisconsin in 1953.
In 1955, he was introduced to his future wife, Lucille Johanna Gehl, by her older brother, Leon. He would often recall that his first thoughts upon seeing her were, "She's beautiful!" Claude and Lucille were married on Sept. 15, 1956, at the E.U.B. Church in Chippewa Falls.
After his return from North Dakota, Claude operated his own painting business with his brother, Carl, for several years. He used the slower times in the winter to build his own house for their growing family.
In 1957, Claude and Carl formed a new business, Hunt Brothers Drywall, which they operated together for 15 years. The two would later operate individual businesses, but both stayed in the drywall business until 1981, when Claude formed the company, Claude Hunt Builder. He continued in the building business until 1999.
His retirement years were devoted to the things he cherished most in life, his relationship with Jesus Christ, his family, building, and hunting and fishing.
While the family was growing up, Claude was an active church member. In his later years, he was construction manager for the building of a Christian school at Christ Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls and used his building skills to help Luther Point Bible Camp in Grantsburg.
He was always actively involved in his children's activities and continued this involvement when grandchildren came along. He loved spending time with each child and knew how to make each one feel special. He loved hunting and fishing, but often gave up time for these to be there for his family.
His simple, yet deep, faith has been evidenced these last few years as he has lovingly taken care of his wife, Lucille, who is living with Alzheimer's disease. The staff and residents at The Rutledge Home in Chippewa Falls have often been the recipients of his smile and light-hearted laugh as he served as a volunteer at the home.
Recently, Claude passed on his words of advice to his family in this way: "Never ever lose your Christian faith. It is the most important thing there is. Secondly, take care of each other and your families. And then, after that, serve others because what is really important at the end of your life is what you have done for others."
Claude is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Lucille; one son, David (Cheryl) Hunt of Bloomington, Minn.; one daughter, Nancy (Bruce) Sommerfeld of Hudson; and seven grandchildren, Elizabeth and Rebecca Hunt, and Karen, John, Benjamin, Emily, and Andrew Sommerfeld. Also surviving are his four brothers, Clarence Hunt of Naples, Fla., Clifford (Valeria) Hunt, Carl (Irene) Hunt, and Harold (Marian) Hunt, all of Chippewa Falls; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Christie Hunt.
A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 3, 2006, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Richard Estrem-Fuller officiating. Interment will follow at Auburn Cemetery, town of Auburn.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel in Chippewa Falls, and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church.
Memorials in Claude's name to The Rutledge Home or Alzheimer's Association would be appreciated.
Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.
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