Hal L. Birkholz, 73 Mr. Hal L. Birkholz, of 1st Avenue in Grafton, passed away Wednesday,   Oct. 19, 2011, at his home following a courageous two-year struggle   with cancer. He was 73 years of age. Hal was born in Cheeseville (town of Farmington) on July 16, 1938,   the son of Leroy and Edna Hedrick Birkholz. The family moved to   Fredonia a short time later. After graduating from Port Washington   High School in 1955, Hal attended Lakeland College and studied   accounting. Hal was united in marriage with Nancy Krick on Sept. 10,   1960, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Lake Church. The couple settled in   Port Washington before moving to Grafton in 1968. Hal was a cost accountant for Tecumseh Engines in Grafton. He retired   as chief cost accountant in 2000 after 37 1/2 years of loyal   service.  Hal was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.  An avid   golfer and traveler, Hal also enjoyed refinishing furniture, reading   mystery novels, attending horse pulls and rooting for his favorite   sports teams. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Nancy; and their three   children, Tim "Bopper" (Betsy) Birkholz of the town of Fredonia,   Scott (Monica) Birkholz of the town of Cedarburg and Sandy Birkholz   of Grafton. He is further survived by two grandchildren, Kyle and   Nicolette; one brother, Mel (Carol) Birkholz of Port Washington;   brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law,  Adrienne Birkholz of   Rhinelander, John Krick of Jackson, Gloria (Ralph) Schmit of Port   Washington, and Walt Wildhagen of Yorba Linda, Calif. He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, E. Terry Birkholz;   and sisters- in-law, Linda Wildhagen and Debbie Krick. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct.   25, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1619 Washington St., Grafton.   Father Michael Barrett will officiate. The following day, Hal will be   interred at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. The family will receive visitors   at the church on Tuesday from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the National Cancer Institute or the   American Lung Association. The Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Online   condolences can be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.