U.S. Veteran

Elmer J. Digman, 85, of Platteville, died on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at Manor Care Health Services, Platteville. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Platteville. Fr. Steffen, Fr. Faustino, and Deacon Bill Bussan will officiate. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville. Friends may call from 3:00 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, where there will be a prayer service at 2:45 p.m. Friends may also call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday, at the church. Memorials may be made to the Elmer J. Digman Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Elmer was born on July 17, 1931 in Cuba City, Wisconsin, the son of Aloys and Helen (Wagner) Digman. Elmer graduated from St. Rose School in Cuba City. He was united in marriage to Rosemary Steffen on April 11, 1953 at St Mary's Catholic Church in Platteville. Elmer served in Army National Guard with the 32^nd Infantry Division in the early 1950's. In 1955 he was drafted into the Army where he was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, serving as a Tanker at the Armor school and was honorably discharged in 1957. Elmer worked as a truck driver throughout his lifetime, hauling milk, fuel, and grain for various businesses; but his first love was farming. He raised beef, hogs, and dairy, for 60 years, starting in 1957. In November of 1960 Elmer was involved in a farm accident where he lost part of his right hand in a corn picker. In 1965 he and Rosemary purchased the home farm in Platteville. In 1973 they started farming with their son, Ron Digman. Elmer had a strong faith; he was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Catholic Knights. He enjoyed square dancing, time spent with family, especially grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and he enjoyed a beer, a shot of whiskey, or blackberry brandy after a hard day's work. Elmer also enjoyed a good conversation, be it with friends, neighbors, or customers.

Elmer is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rosemary of Platteville; six children, Ronald (Paula) Digman of Dickeyville, WI; Rita (Maynard) Miesen of Platteville, WI; Susanne (Vernon) Casper of West Bend, WI; Peggy (Rick) DeYoung of Richland Center, WI; Mary (David) Kolstad of Kooskia, ID; Paula “Polly” (Mike) Timmerman of Platteville; 29 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brothers, Eugene (Janice “Jan”) Digman and Bernard “Bernie” Digman, both of Platteville; sister, Arlene (Robert) Jones of Oconomowoc, WI; sister-in-law, Kristine Digman of Cuba City; brothers and sisters-in-law, Fr Francis “Jerry” Steffen of Sinsinawa, WI; Tom (Gloria) Steffen of Dalhart, TX; and Shirley (Jack) Withrow of Platteville; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Arnold Digman; and sisters-in-law, Darlene Digman and Beverly Digman.

Elmer Digman

July 17, 1931 - April 05, 2017

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