William Schlotthauer

William "Bid" M. Schlotthauer, 87, of Madison, passed away peacefully at Agrace HospiceCare on Saturday, June 29, 2013. Funeral services will be at 10 am Tuesday, July 9th at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Middleton with Monsignor Douglas Dushack officiating. A private burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Madison. Friends may call from 4 to 7 pm on Monday, July 8th at Cress Center, Middleton.

Bid was born on August 7, 1925 in Madison. He was the only child of William and Angeline (Adler) Schlotthauer. He attended East High School and lived his entire life in Madison. Bid married Betty M. Dirienzo on September 3, 1949 in Madison. They were happily married for 51 years until her death in 2000. Bid was a loving husband, father and grandfather and had many friends. Bid and his wife raised six children.

He worked for the City of Madison Parks Department as a welder for 39 years, retiring in 1986. Bid was an excellent metal worker and enjoyed welding. During his employment some of his welding skills were used to help build the Henry Vilas Zoo animal enclosures and create gates and playground equipment for the city parks. He also built the handicap piers for the Madison lakes.

Bid thoroughly enjoyed his retirement years. In 1962 he, his wife and children, along with many friends built a family cottage in Westfield, WI where family and friends spent weekends and vacations. They spent many of their retirement years at the cottage. He took great pleasure in growing vegetables and sharing them with neighbors and friends. Bid's hobbies also included making wooden birds, wooden wind spinners and building piers for lake property owners throughout the state. In later years, he enjoyed making apple and pumpkin pies for others. Bid was an avid hunter, trapper, fisherman and conservation enthusiast. He was a member of the Dane County Conservation League for many years and donated countless hours of his time to make the environment better for younger generations. He also was an active member of the Yahara Fisherman's Club, Eagles Club, Moose Club, Knights of Columbus, Ducks Unlimited, and Olbrich Botanical Society. Bid was also a longtime bowler at Middleton Sport Bowl in both the major and couples leagues.

He was a devoted member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Madison and St. Bernard Catholic Church in Middleton.

Surviving Bid are his six children: Susan (Steve) Jackson of Eau Claire, Beth (Randy) Washa of Middleton, William Schlotthauer Jr. of Dane, Robert (Dr. Barbara Knox) Schlotthauer of Cross Plains, Amy (Robert) Schroeder of Martinsville, Carol (Vagelis) Papazisis of Redwood City, California; his grandchildren: Angela, Jim, Sarah, Jessica, David, Samantha, Sara, Ryan, Emma, Eve, Gus and Alex and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his loving companion of over 12 years, Betty Johnson of Madison, sisters-in-law Marjorie (Alvin) Johnson of De Forest, Judith (Tom) Dirienzo of Madison, Evelyn (Wayne) Havey of Sheboygan Falls, WI and his yellow lab, Tina.

Bid is preceded in death by his loving wife Betty (Dirienzo) Schlotthauer and his parents William and Angeline (Adler) Schlotthauer.

The family would like to express gratitude to the staff of Agrace HospiceCare.