May 30, 2019 – Slinger, WI – Richard “Dick” Henry Mayer, 84, of Slinger, slipped away to be with his Lord in the early hours of Thursday, May 30.
He was born on January 13, 1935, in the Town of Polk to Christ A. and Helen (nee Mauer) Mayer. After graduating from Slinger High School in 1953, he farmed with his father and brothers Bob and Fritz. Mayer Farms was well known for developing outstanding Holstein genetics.
After the Mayer Farms Dispersal in 1965, Dick and Fritz continued the Mayer Farm legacy. Dick was a true cow man. He judged numerous county and state Holstein shows, and also served on numerous All American Selection Committees. He was united in marriage to his best girl Marilyn Wolf on September 24, 1959, at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Slinger. He was an active life long member of Faith UCC in Slinger. He was active in the County, State, and National Holstein Association, and served on the Washington County Holstein Board for many years, where he started the County Junior Holstein Association. He also served on the Wisconsin Holstein Board for 12 years.
As a young man, he was active in his local 4-H club, and became a 4-H leader for over 50 years, touching the lives of hundreds of young people. Dick was proud to see the Mayer Farm legacy continue with his family.
He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 59 years Marilyn, their children Pamela (William) Cooper, Marcella (Ross) Bishop, Dwight “Ike”(Shelly) Mayer, Douglas (Judy) Mayer and Dennis Mayer; 9 grandchildren Alexandria (Matthew) Dohm, Victoria (Kenneth) Janisch, Devin (fiancée Kayla Teske) Mayer, Julia Cooper, Amelia (special friend Dan) Cooper, Cassandra (Alex) Strupp, Dylan, Phillip, and Zachary Mayer; and great-grandchildren Abigail and Avery Janisch and baby Strupp on the way; brother William Mayer; sisters-in-law Carolyn (Niles) Wendorf, Evelyn (Larry) Lepien, Lauralyn (Michael) Lepien, Minnette Wolf. Further survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends (which was almost everyone he ever met!).
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Marjorie Slaughter, Robert Mayer, Elizabeth (Walter) Schneider, and Fredrick (Orlyn) Mayer, sister-in-law Adeline Mayer and brother-in-law Edward Wolf.
Funeral Services for Dick will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 2 at Faith UCC Church (2895 Slinger Rd. Slinger) with Rev. Sharon Stier presiding. Visitation will be held on Sunday at the church from 12:30 p.m. until time of service. Interment will be at Faith UCC Cemetery.
Memorials to Faith UCC Church or Honors Inc. Slinger High School Scholarship Fund are appreciated.
