Russell D. Sacia

Russell David Sacia, 78, of North Bend WI, passed peacefully on Thursday, October 27, 2022, surrounded by family.

Russell was born August 31, 1944, to Spencer & Marian Sacia. He grew up farming alongside his Dad, graduating from Melrose High School in 1962 and attending UW-Madison’s Agricultural short course. Russ married his high school sweetheart, Diane (Emerson), in 1965. He soon enlisted in the US Army, serving overseas in Nuremberg Germany as a Military Police Officer. Diane traveled to join him in Germany, working at Army Headquarters. This provided a little spending money for the young couple to travel Europe together in their $300 VW.

They returned home two years later and soon started their own family. Russ dreamed of his own farm and promised Diane she wouldn’t need to milk a single cow; a promise he indeed kept. Farming in Red School Valley was good to the Sacia family, where together Russ and Diane raised four children; Eric (Stephanie) Sacia of Eldridge, IA; Craig (Sue) Sacia of Holmen, WI; Ryan (Lisa) Sacia of Holmen, WI; and Kristen (Matthew) Dresen of Verona, WI.

Despite a full day of chores on the farm, Russ made time with his family and close friends a priority. He enjoyed games of football in the yard and taking in his kids’ many sporting events. Family dinner on Sunday was special, before cheering on his beloved Green Bay Packers. (Or grumbling at the TV many of those not-so-good years for the green and gold.)

Russell was a dedicated member and past Commander of the Melrose American Legion, Post 439. He was proud to grow the sweet corn for the Legion’s annual Melrose Corn Broil. A local newspaper once asked Russ how his corn could be so sweet, his reply simple: “Well, I grow it and I’m sweet.”

Russ and Diane’s next adventure brought them to Dane County where they lived the last 9 years enjoying many hikes and picnics in the surrounding State parks.  Russ was proud to be part of a weekly volunteer group at the beautiful Donald Park, just outside Mount Horeb WI.  He enjoyed driving his John Deere “B” to care for the park and its many trails.  They enjoyed visits to the park up until just last month, taking hikes with family and telling stories of the park’s history and his work there.

Russ will live on in his children and thirteen grandchildren of whom he was so proud; Matthew, Adam, Megan, Andrew, Delaney, Rex, Kade, Mason, Brett, Kyle, Emma, Lauren, and Kylie.

The visitation will be held Sunday, November 6th from 3:00-6:00 pm at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Service, 907 Sand Lake Road, Onalaska, WI. A funeral will be held at 11:00 am Monday, November 7th, at the North Bend Presbyterian Church followed by a burial with military honors at the North Bend Cemetery. Lunch will be served at the North Bend Lions Club following the services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Russell’s memory to the Melrose American Legion, North Bend Presbyterian Church, or North Bend Cemetery.