Wilfred (Willy) Albert Mader

Wilfred (Willy) Albert Mader, 75, of Cottonwood, passed away after a brief battle with cancer on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006.

Willy was born on Friday, March 13, 1931, to Joseph and Mary Beckman Mader.

Willy attended St. Joseph's grade school and graduated from St. Gertrude's Academy in 1949. He was a lifelong resident of Cottonwood, except for the two years and one hour he spent in the U.S. Army.

Upon returning from the service Willy went to work for the Cottonwood Grange Supply delivering fuel. The kids were delighted when he drove up in the delivery truck as he always had an ample supply of candy and gum. Willy later moved on to be the manager of the grange. Upon the sale of the grange supply, Willy went to work for his good friend Mark Tacke and then Primeland Cooperatives, spending more than 48 years in the same building.

Willy met the love of his life and was married to Fran Davisson on Jan. 14, 1967, in Cottonwood. Through this marriage Willy gained a step-daughter, Debbie (Davisson) Pond, as well as being blessed with two sons, Thad Mader and Mike Mader.

Willy was very active in many organizations, belonging to: Cottonwood Jaycees; Knights of Columbus; served on the Cottonwood Fire Department for 25 years and served as chief for several of those years; he was a member of the Cottonwood Credit Union Board; the American Legion; Cottonwood Gun Club; and was past president of the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce.

The highlight of Willy's life was camping and fishing with Fran and the kids. On many occasions they were brave enough to take the nine little Mader kids with them. "Uncle Willy's" favorite thing to do for many years was to have nieces and nephews entertain him with songs and games, especially during the Christmas season. He delighted in taunting and teasing the kids with their gifts.

Willy was finally able to retire when Primeland Cooperative moved to their new location, with Willy jokingly saying, "he could not move to the other side of the tracks."

Willy was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 21 years, Fran; his parents; brothers, Harold Mader, Walter Mader, Fred (Boots) Mader; sisters, Charlotte Staab and Loretta Mosman; and grandson, Kirk Wassmuth.

Survivors include two sons, Thad and wife Anjelique of Cottonwood, and Mike of Lewiston; step-daughter, Debbie Pond of Cottonwood; sister, Edna Roeper and husband Percy of Cottonwood; brother and sister-in-laws, Clarence Mosman of Nezperce, Marie Mader of Effingham, Ill., and Ingrid Mader of Cottonwood; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Recitation of the rosary will be at 10:30 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Cottonwood Catholic Cemetery.