Cleo "Woody" Bruce Woodward

Cleo "Woody" Bruce Woodward, 77, of Weston, Wisconsin, passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord on March 23rd, 2025, surrounded by loving family and friends at Renaissance Assisted Living. Born November 17th, 1947, in Wausau, WI, he was the second youngest of nine children born to the late Harvey Woodward, Sr. and Pearl (Howland) Woodward.

Woody graduated from D.C. Everest High School in 1966. He married Sherry Stahl in September of 1966, and they were blessed with two children. He later found his soulmate in Jeanette Nelson, whom he married on April 13th, 1988, in White Sands, New Mexico. This union brought Woody into the lives of five more children, enriching his family immeasurably.

A dedicated employee of Foremost Foods, Woody enjoyed a fulfilling career spanning over 30 years, retiring at the age of 50. He cherished his time with his grandchildren, finding joy in hunting, fishing, and gatherings with family and friends at his beloved cabin on Birch Lake. A devoted fan of the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers, Woody's competitive spirit was also evident in his earlier years through his passion for softball, where he played, coached, and managed local teams.

Woody is survived by his daughter, Michelle Howland (Mark Coxen) of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchild Sheanna (Travis) Henson and great-grandchildren Madisyn and Tinley Henson; grandchild Karla Woodward and great-grandchildren Jackson and Parker Cornell; grandchild Dustin Woodward and great-grandchild Juno Woodward; and grandchild Logan Howland. He is also survived by Bonus son Steve Nelson (Julie) of Rothschild and grandchildren Amanda and Dalton Nelson; daughter Stephanie Wage (Dan) of Wausau and grandchild Seth (Jill) Wage and great-grandchild Luetta Wage, and grandchild Brittany (Wes) Lodel and great-grandchild Walker Lodel;  son Paul Nelson (Amy) of Rib Mountain and  grandchildren Payton, Paige, and Patty Nelson;  son Patrick Nelson of Rib Mountain grandchild Jennifer Trzebiatowski and great-grandchildren Reese and  Gray Trzebiatowski; and son Jay Nelson (Mindy) of Wausau and grandchild Brianna Nelson (Nick Manecke) and great-grandchild Oaklynn Manecke, and grandchild Hunter Nelson. He is further survived by his sister, Jessie Drews; sisters-in-law Helen Woodward, Linda Woodward Krueger, and Darlene Woodward; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette Woodward; son, Jay Woodward; daughter-in-law, Kim Nelson; grandson, Tyler Nelson; parents, Harvey, Sr. and Pearl Woodward; brothers Harvey Woodward Jr., Quentin Woodward, Dexter Woodward, Lionel "Bug" Woodward, Dwight "Sparky" Woodward; and sisters Tina Woodward and Sandra Ryan.

A service celebrating Woody's life will be held on Monday, May 5th, 2025, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 503 Schmidt Avenue, Rothschild, with visitation at 9:00 a.m. until the service begins at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, with a luncheon afterward.

John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be expressed at HonorOne.com