None of us can think about Willie Roeschli without smiling! An
active charter member of the Monroe Swiss Singers in the bass section,
Willie served in various capacities over the years, most notably as
chief engineer of the Monroe Swiss Singers' Cheese Days Float and
unparalleled host of our annual August 1st (Swiss Independence Day)
Potluck and Bonfire. He had also served for many years on the Monroe
Turner Hall Board of Directors, and as an actor in the German version
of New Glarus' annual Labor Day weekend production of Wilhelm Tell.
Born in Langenthal, Bern, Switzerland on March 31, 1925, Willie was the son of Jakob and Josephine (Zwinggi) Roeschli. He was schooled in Switzerland, which included specialized training in agriculture. He also served in the Swiss Army. (Photo: Willie in Balzenwil, Aargau, Switzerland in 1999 with his sister, Susanna, of Langenthal, Bern.)
Willie emigrated to the US in 1951 at the age of 25, working first in Illinois as a milk hauler and farmer. After moving to Monroe, he worked for a cheese co-op, Kuhne Lumber and Construction, and finally, Monroe Ready Mix, where he was employed until retirement. But farming was his true passion, and, in addition to his jobs, Willie owned and worked a farm just north of Monroe.
Hard-working and independent, Willie was likewise free-spirited and playful; but he was also generous and a true gentleman. He made numerous trips back to Switzerland and enjoyed his many travels with the Monroe Swiss Singers, which, with Willie, were always adventures.
Willie was father to three sons, grandfather to two, and a friend to all. He was also devoted to his faithful German Shepherd, Rip.