Bud Fick died peacefully on June 12, 2026 with his loving wife, Dee and family by his side, following a 20-year battle with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. He was a kind, generous man who laughed easily, worked diligently to build a farm and take care of his family, and persisted with gritty determination through the challenges that came his way.
Albert Julius Fick was born on July 28, 1943 in Richland Center, WI to Alden and Evelyn Fick as the second of three sons. His older brother, Gordon, affectionately called him Bud as a young boy and that was how he would be known to an ever-increasing circle of friends and family for the rest of his life.
He grew up on the family dairy farm in Wonewoc, WI and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1961. He joined the National Guard and worked at Grady’s in Reedsburg, Badger Ordinance in Baraboo, American Motors in Kenosha, and GM in Janesville, but always stayed close to the farm. He especially loved the field work, planting, harvesting, and operating/maintaining his many tractors and farm equipment. He formally partnered with his Pa (Alden) in 1968 in an expansion to the family farm and became the sole owner in 1979. He was an active member of the Hillsboro Jaycees and also served on the Wonewoc Township Board for many years.
Bud married the love of his life, Dolores (Dee) Ann Kolowrat on August 9, 1969. His beloved Annie would be his best friend and faithful teammate for the next 57 years. They farmed together, side by side, proudly raised 3 sons, and demonstrated to them daily, the value of hard work. Bud lost his left hand in a farming accident in 1975. His boys were always amazed that it never slowed him down or caused him to complain.
Bud and Dee sold the cows and the milking operation part of the farm in 1996. Like many farmers, he never really retired. He worked for a local John Deere Implement, a Lands End Distribution Center, and drove semi for Heding Truck Service. Through it all, his favorite thing to do was still to tend to the crops on the 300+ acres of land he kept.
Outside of farming, Bud was always present in the lives of his kids, and later his grandkids. Despite the busyness of farming, he made time to cheer them on at sporting events and school activities. He liked shooting pool and playing various dice and card games. He enjoyed his Harley Davidson and some of his most precious memories were of cross-country trips he took with his sons and friends. He was a huge Green Bay Packer fan and loved seeing games at Lambeau every year. For nearly 40 years, he met with a group of old friends once a month for a night of poker, smart talk, and many laughs.
Bud and Dee had 3 sons and 8 grandchildren together. Wade (Julie) Fick; Caleb, Rachel, Josiah, Malachi. Marc (Amanda Golden) Fick; Griffin. Matt (Laura) Fick; Macy, Cashton, Easton.
Bud is preceded in death by his parents, Alden and Evelyn Fick, brother Rodney (Sharon) Fick, brother-in-law Ed (Arda) Kolowrat, and daughter-in-law Julie Fick. He is survived by his brother Gordon (Sandy) Fick and many close in-laws; Myrna Geier, Dennis (Kathy) Kolowrat, Dave (Sharon) Kolowrat, Sue Kolowrat, Deb (Mark) Griffin, nephew Frank (Jean) Kolowrat, and many other extended family members. He will be greatly missed by all.
Visitation and Funeral service will be Monday, June 29 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Hillsboro, WI. Visitation will be held at 11am, with the service starting at Noon and a luncheon immediately following. All are welcome to join for any part of the schedule.
The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Blood Cancer United to continue the fight against Lymphoma. https://bloodcancerunited.org
Picha Funeral Home
