Allen J. Escher, age 66, of New Holstein, died unexpectedly Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at the Calumet Medical Center in Chilton. He was born to the late Clarence & Helen (Baer) Escher on August 1, 1946, on the family homestead in the Town of New Holstein which he and his wife currently lived at. Allen graduated from New Holstein High School in 1964. On December 20, 1969, he married Linda Lehmann at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Plymouth. He farmed on the family farm for many years; in addition he worked at Johnsonville Sausage until retiring in 2011. Allen loved to ride his bike, work in his flower beds, taking care of the yard, and feeding & watching the birds. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife, Linda; his six children, Bradley (Dana) Escher of Chilton, Amy (Chuck) Giesen of Kimberly, Christopher Escher (fiancée, Deb Payne) of Las Vegas, NV, Sarah (Troy) Burmeister of Galesville, WI, Joshua (fiancée, Sara Curran) of Menasha, WI, and Eric (special friend, Whitney Wilkinson) of Stevens Point; his grandchildren, Alyshia & Brittany Giesen, and Ethan & Alexander Burmeister; two brothers, Fred (Dot) Escher of Sun Prairie and Ronald Escher of New Holstein; two sisters, Dorothy (Eugene) Ruh of New Holstein and Shirley (Dan) Lecher of New Holstein; brothers-in-law, Earl Morgan, Kenneth Schnell, and Charles Wolfgram. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother, Roger; his sisters, Helen Morgan, Alice Keyes, Jeanne Wolfgram, Virginia Schnell, Betty Escher, and Marion Schabach; a sister-in-law, Jean Escher, and a brother-in-law, Lester Schabach. Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Sippel Funeral Home, 2618 Altona Avenue, in New Holstein. Burial will be in the Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in New Holstein. Family and friends may call at the Sippel Funeral Home on Saturday from 1:00 PM until the time of services. A Memorial Fund will be established in his name. For additional information, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net