Aelred A. "Hop" Mezera

Aelred A. “Hop” Mezera, age 87 of Prairie du Chien passed away Friday, December 16, 2022, at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Prairie du Chien on January 14, 1935, the son of Anthony and Grace (Wall) Mezera. Hop grew up on the family farm on Irish Ridge Rd. He graduated from Prairie du Chien High School before attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to study agriculture. Hop married Mariajane Braudt on July 18, 1959, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Patch Grove, WI. Together, they raised their family on their farm in Prairie du Chien. Hop was a businessman owning the Patch Grove Feed Mill for several years before farming the family farm full time. While farming he worked various other jobs at Heim Walker’s, Martin Luther Prep school, and finally the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution. Hop dedicated over 40 years of service to the Rural Bridgeport & Prairie du Chien Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed woodworking and spending time with his family. He was a strong, hardworking family man and friend who never met a stranger. Except the bear in 1953, that so many of us believe, actually bit his hand off.  After 62 years of marriage, Hop’s wife Mariajane preceded him in death on February 3, 2022. He is survived by his children Vicki (Martin) Dudenbostel, Michael (Judy) Mezera, Greg (Beth) Mezera, William (Windy) Mezera, Karen Hertrampf, and Amanda (Matthew) Poynter; his siblings Therese Hromadka, Phyllis Lee, and Anne Mezera; his grandchildren Abby Dudenbostel, Michael (Brayanne) Hagensick, Kevin and Catherine Warrington, Steven (Becky Swiggum) Anderson, Nicole Beisner, Liz (Brett) Swatek, Douglas, Austin, and Ashley Mezera, Venessa (Alexander) Udelhoven, Alysa (Jordan) Mulrooney, Kelly (Kyle) Rokusek, Tyler and Travis Hertrampf, Blake, Gracelyn, Lucas, and Olivia Poynter; 28 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Douglas, his siblings Sylvester Mezera and Margaret Arado; his granddaughters Grace Mary Mezera, Laura and Mariah Dudenbostel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, December 22, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. at St. John’s Church of the Holy Family Parish, Msgr. Charles Stoetzel officiating with burial in the Calvary Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call at the Garrity Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with the Holy Rosary at 7:30 P.M. Friends may also call at the funeral home on Thursday from 1:00 P.M. until the time of departure for church. 

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