Wilfred “Willie” Edward Senn, age 94, of Tomah, Wisconsin passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. Willie was born on October 27, 1930, to Fank Sr. and Rosa (Berger) Senn in Mott, North Dakota. He worked on his dad’s farm and on farms of relatives, at a creamery, and a lumber yard before being drafted into the U.S. Army in January of 1952. He received basic and high-speed radio operator training at Camp Gordon, Georgia. He served in Japan from October 1952 until November 1952 and was discharged in January 1954.
He married Cecelia Schumer of Bird Island, Minnesota on December 27, 1955, in Dickinson, North Dakota. He worked for Montgomery Ward, a paint and floor covering store before going to work for JCPenney Co. in 1961 in Dickinson, ND. As shoe department manager and was promoted to assistant manager, promoted to manager of the Lemmon, SD store in 1969. He was promoted to manager of the Mobridge, SD store in 1973. He resigned in 1981 and moved to Necedah, WI. He purchased and operated the Necedah Motel with his wife and two youngest children. In addition to operating the motel he worked at Farnam Sealing Systems from 1985 until 1994 and at Ray’s Book Store from 1994 until 1996. He and his wife sold the motel and retired in 1996, and moved to Tomah, WI in 2009.
He enjoyed fishing, golfing, and woodworking. He built numerous pieces of furniture for their home as well as for gifts for their children.
He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and Rotary.
He is survived by his four sons, Robert of Stevens Point, WI, Duane (Pam) of Gillette, WY, Bruce (Karen) of Menasha, WI, and James (Diana) of Surprise, AZ; one daughter Mary (Harlan) Johnson of Tomah, WI; 12 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Cecelia, parents, 5 brothers, 2 sisters, daughter Lorraine (Pat) Wieseler of Watertown, SD, and infant son Joseph.
Mass of Christian Burial with full military honors will be held Thursday, April 3, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Queen of the Apostles Parish in Tomah. Father Ethan Hokamp will officiate. Burial will take place at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Cemetery, Necedah, Wisconsin. Family and friends are invited for a visitation Thursday beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com
Torkelson Funeral Home
