Harold “Hezzy” R. Munsch, age 88 passed away on Saturday, August 20, 2022 with his family by his side after a battle with cancer. He was born in Weyauwega, WI on December 6, 1933, the son of the late Harold E. and Irma (Radtke) Munsch. On October 26, 1957, he married his wife of 64 years, Gail Lindgren, in Oshkosh.
Hezzy was baptized in the Christian faith at St. Paul’s in Weyauwega and confirmed that faith at Grace Lutheran in Oshkosh, in 1947, where he remained an active member until death. He graduated Oshkosh High School in 1951.
Hezzy was proud to serve in the U.S. Air Force, in France, from 1953-1955, after volunteering for the draft. The Air Base made up a bowling team and that team won the All Europe Team Championship. In 1955 he also won the title to become the first All World Air Force Singles Champion.
After the military Hezzy settled in Oshkosh, raised a family, and sent his children to Grace Lutheran for a Christian education. Through the years he held many jobs with many different employers. His longest occupation was in sales. His children and grandchildren called him the “Candyman” because he always had candy available. His greatest passion was bowling, which he excelled at most of his life. He shared that passion by teaching many junior bowlers the sport at T&O Lanes.
He enjoyed 25 years of retirement. He took pride in having the best yard in the neighborhood. He also wanted to stay fit by exercising at home and taking daily walks. He was a quiet man but also loved to socialize with his friends in bowling and golf league. At family gatherings, as patriarch, he would take center stage to share feelings and the importance of family.
Hezzy is survived by his wife, Gail; children: Randy Munsch, Pamela (Terry)Schroeder and Gina (Michael)Kiley; grandchildren: Michelle(Jason)Kramer, Alexander Fields, Lincoln and Jackson Schroeder, Nicole(Luke)Goral, Jonathan(Kelly)Hagman, Sierra and Hailey Valentine, Quinn, Claire and Colin Kiley; nine great-grandchildren; siblings: Marilyn Griedl, Cheri Linder, Deborah(Jerry)Heisler, Jeffrey(Sheila)Munsch; sister-in-law, Karen Munsch, and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Moriah Munsch; siblings: Helen (Willis)Krause, M. Michael Munsch, Carol Munsch and Cathleen(Marlowe)Gandrud; and brother-in-law Louis Griedl,
A visitation will be on Saturday, August 27, from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 12 p.m. at GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 913 Nebraska St., Oshkosh. Burial will take place in Lakeview Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in Hezzy’s name is being established for Grace Lutheran Church and School.
The family extends a special thank you to Promedica Hospice for their wonderful care.