Maynard Vajgrt

VISITATION :

3 - 5 p.m., Thursday, September 27 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls

SERVICE:

5 p.m., Thursday, September 27 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls

Maynard Del Vajgrt, 81, of Chippewa Falls passed away Friday, September 21, 2012 after a long battle with heart disease.

He was born November 20, 1930 in the town of Arthur to Caroline (Novak) and Emil Vajgrt. He graduated from Cadott High School in 1948 and worked on the family farm.

In 1952, Maynard proudly enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he became a pilot. While stationed in Alabama, he traveled with a friend to Cleveland, Ohio, where he met Mae "Betsy" Livingston. They married December 30, 1953 and lived in Vermont until March, 1955, when Maynard was honorably discharged.

The couple returned to the family farm for a bit, then moved to St. Paul, MN, where he worked for the railroad post office. In 1962, they purchased a home in Chippewa Falls, where Maynard worked as a foreman for the City of Chippewa Falls Waste, Water and Treatment Plant, retiring after 29 years of employment.

Maynard was a proficient artist, gardener, and had a great appreciation and love for the natural world, including making birdhouses. He took his family on numerous vacations to Black Butte in Thermopolis, Wyoming, and passed his love for the great outdoors to his children. He loved listening to Brewers radio and watching the Green Bay Packers (but only when they played well). He was also an avid reader of non-fiction western history. Maynard's love of flying prompted him to surprise his family by renewing his pilot's license at age 65.

Survivors include his wife Mae "Betsy" Vajgrt of Chippewa Falls; six children, Cathy Lou Verbracken of Chippewa Falls, Darrell Lee (Misty) of Chippewa Falls, Clayton Lyle (Jennifer) of Cloverdale, CA, Diane Lynn (Robert) Ressemann of Cadott, Terry Lane (Paula) of Menomonie, Todd Lindsey (Kris) of Chippewa Falls; 16 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and dear friend, Lavern Moldrem.

The family will lead a memorial service celebrating Maynard's life at 5 p.m., Thursday, September 27 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls. Military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will follow the service at the funeral chapel. Burial will be at a later date in the Bohemian Cemetery, Cadott.

Friends may call from 3 p.m. until the time of service at 5 p.m. Thursday at the funeral chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in Maynard's honor to be made to the Chippewa Falls Homeless Veterans Center.