Joseph Robert Sigg

Joseph Robert Sigg, age 79 of Hollandale died on Wednesday morning, March 30, 2011 at the Saint Mary's Hospital in Madison after a brief illness. He was born on April 14, 1931 in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin to Herman and Alice (Herger) Sigg. He grew up in Mount Horeb and Riley, living with his uncle Alois Herger after his father was killed in a train accident when Joe was 2 years old. He attended grade school in Riley. At the age of 12 he lived with his mother and step-father, Baptist Gort in Hollandale and went to the Hollandale High School, graduating in 1949. He joined the Navy where he served from 1949 until 1955 during the Korean Conflict. He served as a pipe-fitter on the destroyer USS Beatty. After leaving service he returned to Hollandale, worked for E. L. Severson hardware, plumbing and heating in Hollandale and bought his mother's farm. He was married on December 28, 1957 to Shirley Toay at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Ridgeway. They worked together on the farm for 41 years, raising seven children. In 1996 Joe and Shirley moved off the farm, just across the field. Joe enjoyed hunting a little, but he mostly lived for farming, and his family, especially his grandchildren. Joe was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church and was caretaker for the St. Patrick's Cemetery for many years. He was a member of the Hollandale American Legion Post 510 for over 50 years. Joe was honored as one of the best Iowa County Dairymen and Conservationist. Joe was an avid supporter of St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis, TN, The Hodan Center in Mineral Point, and Covenant House in New York City. Joe is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley Sigg of Hollandale; seven children, Sherry (Scott) Pecor of Dekalb, Il, Sue Sigg of Kimball, SD, Joe (Jennie) Sigg of Ridgeway, Jerry (Cathy) Sigg of Hollandale, Jeff (Beth) Sigg of Mineral Point, Jay (Andrea) Sigg of Hollandale, and Jim (Margaret) Sigg of Hollandale; two sisters, Mary Ferrell of Mineral Point, and Sue (Wesley) Watrud of Blanchardville; two brothers, Charlie (Rosemarie) Sigg of Mineral Point, and Louis (Marcia) Gort of Mineral Point; 28 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father who died in 1933, his step-father in 1970, and his mother who died in 1998. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hollandale. Fr. Thomas Gillespie will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in rural Hollandale. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 1, 2011 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and again from 10:00 AM until the time of service on Saturday. The family would like to thank the Upland Hills Hospital in Dodgeville and the St. Mary's Hospital in Madison for their loving care. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.