Emil Lavon Fosnow, Sr.

ADAMS – Emil Lavon Fosnow, Sr., age 94, of Adams, Wisconsin, passed away on March 21, 2025, at Rosebrooke Assist Living, in Adams, Wisconsin. He was born on September 29, 1930, in Soldier Grove, Wisconsin, the youngest of John and Lora (Bailey) Fosnow’s children.

Emil entered the US Army and served his country during the Korean Conflict from January 1951 until October 1953 as sharpshooter. He married Shirley Fischer in 1951, and this marriage was blessed with eight children. Shirley preceded Emil in death in 1970. He met and married Berniece (Dart) Sainsbury, on December 16th, 1972. Berniece added two children to the family.

Together, Emil and Berniece enjoyed many adventures including vacationing out west and snow birding in Florida. Emil loved to fish, hunt, bowl, throw horseshoes, and golf. Emil and Berniece moved back to Wisconsin from Florida when health was beginning to fade. They were welcomed into Emil (“Bud”) and Rita’s home three years ago, before Berniece’s death, just one month later. Bud and Rita cared for Emil for the next two and a half years before he moved to Rosebrooke.

Emil is survived by his children, Linda Greene, Whitewater, Emil (Rita) Fosnow, Jr., Friendship, Joe Fosnow, Portage, Louis Fosnow, Janesville, Jean Miller, Delavan, and Tim Fosnow, Illinois; his stepchildren, Tammie (Allan) Maxwell, Wausau, and Wayne (Leslie) Sainsbury, Janesville; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; and other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lora; his siblings; first wife, Shirley; two infant sons; and his second wife, Berneice.

A memorial service will be held at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, Portage, Wisconsin, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Per Emil’s wishes, he will be cremated and inurned with Berniece and their special pet, Gator, in Packwaukee, Wisconsin, at a later date. A visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.