Carson Wackershauser

Carson Darrell “Butch” Wackershauser, 80, of Platteville passed away on July 6, 2026. He was born August 18, 1945 to Virgil and Eunice (Place) Wackershauser in Platteville. They moved to the farm in Liberty township six months later. Carson was united in marriage to Mary Christine Brandenburg on July 19, 1975, in Whitewater. They celebrated 50 years of marriage last summer.

Carson attended primary school at the Dry Hollow one-room schoolhouse before graduating from Fennimore High School in 1964. He spent the next 51 years breeding and developing a herd of Registered Holsteins under the Wack-E-View prefix. Son Brian joined him in 1999 and they farmed full-time together until selling the herd and farm in November 2015. The family enjoyed spending “vacation” time showing at the District 3 Holstein Show and local, county and state fairs for over 50 years and Carson was proud to watch his grandchildren, John and Katie, continue the tradition.

Along with farming, Carson spent time as a salesman for Landmark Genetics, working with other dairy farmers in southwest Wisconsin for several years. He also served on many boards and committees, including the Grant County Holstein Breeders, as the Grant County Spring Classic sale chair, Grant County Junior Holstein advisor, Stitzer Go-Getters 4-H dairy project leader, Platte River and People’s Oil co-op boards. He was a founding member of the Grant County Livestock Trust in 1983, helping to make many improvements to the fairgrounds as a committee member and serving as chairman over the last 40-plus years. As a Fennimore FFA alumni, he helped run the Fennimore Junior Fair dairy show until retirement.

Upon retirement, Carson and Mary moved to Platteville and Carson spent his days driving Mennonite and Amish community members and made many new friends along the way. He was also proud to advise Larry Sauder, who purchased the home farm, on Registered Holstein pedigrees and they spent many days traveling to cow sales and purchased several animals in partnership. Carson and Mary enjoyed watching Brewers, Packers and Badger games and also looked forward to their Friday night dinners at the Arthur Haus/Crossroads with their Holstein group – enjoying spending time with whomever showed up each week.

Carson will be deeply missed by his wife Mary, son Brian (Amy Foley), daughters Laura and Jennifer (Gary Maertz), and grandchildren John and Katie Wackershauser. He is further survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Patty and Larry Reed, Platteville, Sandy and Richard Soles, Mt Hope, and LouAnn and Jim Blackburn, Lancaster, and sister-in-law LaDonia Kyle, Whitewater; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Eunice; in-laws Martin and Audrey Brandenburg; and brother-in-law Dean Kyle.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, WI.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at the funeral home.  Pastor Mary Ann Floerke will officiate.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Carson’s name to the Wisconsin Holstein Foundation.  Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com