Herbert Buettner, of White Lake, died Friday, July 8, 2016 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was 88 years old. He was born on June 16, 1928 in White Lake, a son of August and Elsie (Sperberg) Buettner. He married Genevieve Conn on May 23, 1953 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, White Lake. She survives.

He served in the United States Army having been stationed in Germany and Italy post WWII. After military service he worked at the Kriewaldt Cheese Factory in Langlade and later took over the family farm in Langlade and operated it until 1968.

In the 1960’s he began fish guiding services on the Wolf River which expanded into the rafting business. “Herb’s Rafts” continues to operate on the Wolf River today.

In 1972 he built Buettner’s Wild Wolf Inn in Langlade, a business he operated with his son and daughter-in-law.

From the 1960’s to today Herb fought for the preservation of the Wolf River. He was active in the Wolf River Conservation Club and was part of the founding of Wisconsin’s first Trout Unlimited Chapter.

Herb fought against construction of Dams on the Wolf River which led to a bill being passed in the Wisconsin legislature stating “There shall be no dams constructed on the Wolf River upstream from Keshena, Wisconsin henceforth.”, a phrase he frequently quoted.

He hosted Governor Warren Knowles and Senator Gaylord Nelson on Wolf River rafting trips to explain his conservation efforts. (www.wolfrivertu.org)

He worked with the local Indian tribes against the proposed Exxon Mine in Crandon to protect the headwaters of the Wolf River.

He was a lifelong member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in White Lake, the Anderson-Sather American Legion Post #524, White Lake, the Boulder Lake Snow Go’ers and was a snowmobile safety instructor for 20 years.

Survivors including his wife are a son, Andy (Cindy) Buettner, White Lake; a daughter, Debby (Jim) Crail, Greenville; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bob (Rowena) Buettner of Wausau, Carl Buettner of White Lake.

He was preceded in death by three sisters and six brothers.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday July 12, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church White Lake with Rev. Kelly Smith officiating. Burial will take place in Langlade Cemetery, town of Wolf River where the Anderson-Sather American Legion post will conduct military rites.

Visitation will be 4 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the Bradley Funeral Home with veterans standing honor guard from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church.