Dodgeville / Mineral Point - Cletus Luke Hying, age 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. His life began on October 18, 1923, as the eighth of ten children born to Joseph and Lena (Kreul) Hying at their Oak Ridge farm in Richland County, Wisconsin.

Cletus graduated in 1941 from St. John the Baptist Catholic High School in Muscoda. After graduation, he began to work as a telegraph operator and station agent for the Milwaukee Railroad until his call to military service. He served in the Army from 1943-1946 as an office clerk in the U.S. at a German prisoner of war camp. Cletus was honorably discharged from the military and returned to the railroad station in Woodman. After their eyes met at a dance in Highland, Cletus married Joanna Fecht in 1949 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Highland.

Cletus and Joanna lived in Boscobel until 1957 when he was transferred to the depot in Mineral Point, their home for the next 60 years. Eventually Cletus left the railroad for a new career with the Farm Bureau Insurance Company. In addition, he served as the Mineral Point city assessor, zoning administrator and building inspector for 30 years. Cletus retired in 1989 until 2005 when he assumed the role as official tour guide at the newly renovated and reopened Mineral Point Railroad Museum.

A faithful member of St. Mary's-St. Paul's Catholic Church, Cletus served as a religious education teacher and on the parish council. He was an active member of the 3rd and 4th degree Knights of Columbus and the American Legion of Mineral Point.

Always quick with a joke or entertaining anecdote, Cletus will be remembered by his witty sense of humor and engaging conversation with all who crossed his path. He especially enjoyed traveling and going on picnics with family and friends.

Cletus is survived by his bride of 68 years, Joanna, his children David, York, NE, Mark (Cathy), Minneapolis, MN, Paul (Diana), Green Bay, WI, Anne (Endre) Bakken, Colorado Springs, CO, Mary (Paul) Killian, Green Bay, WI, Harry (Laurie) Dodgeville, WI, Ruth (Craig) Douthitt, Green Bay, WI, a sister Mary Kramer, Green Valley, AZ, sister-in-law Donna Hying, Waterford ,WI , 20 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Cletus is preceded in death by parents, brothers, Sebastian, Wilbur, Elmer, Louis, Leo, Eugene, Joseph, sister Magdalene Krier, brother-in-laws Art Fecht, Fred Fecht, sister-in-laws Sister Marina O.S.F., Magdalene Williams, Colletta Doescher, and daughter-in-law Karen Hying.

In the words of Cletus, always remember to eat hearty, there's no dessert (there was always dessert).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 29, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Ss. MARY & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH in Mineral Point. Fr Jim Leeser and Msgr. Daniel Ganshert will co-officiate. Military Graveside Rites will be accorded by the Mineral Point American Legion Post 170 at St.Mary's Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2018 from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the GORGEN McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville and on Monday from 10:00 until 10:50 a.m. at the church. A Knights of Columbus Rosary service will be held on Sunday at 6:00 p.m.