Douglas Francis Dremsa was born on October 15, 1952 in Boscobel to Fred and Margaret (Crowley) Dremsa. Doug was the fifth of 13 children born from their union.
Doug grew up on the family farm tucked away in Marietta Valley in rural Boscobel. Being raised on the family dairy farm, began his lifelong love of animal husbandry and nature.
His connection with the land and water that surrounded his childhood home ran deep. Early in his young adult life, Doug acquired a piece of land from his father, which would be his home and sanctuary for the rest of his life.
As Doug transitioned further into adulthood, travel became another very important part of his life.
Before building his home, he took an extended trip to Central and South America and was deeply influenced by the native people he met there. As he returned from his travels, more people grew to know him as Francisco, or simply Cisco.
Cisco was one of the pioneering members of the Madison Farmers Market, bringing foraged specialties like ginseng, water cress, wild berries, herbs and morel mushrooms, and his beloved San Kor Tea wildflower honey to market shoppers, forming lifelong friendships and customers.
In 1984, Cisco met his first wife Abby Larson, as she walked out of the woods from ginseng hunting. They later went on their first date at a dance at the Kickapoo Exchange Food Co-op in Gays Mills.
The pair formed a life together for seven years, which welcomed daughter Rita in 1985 and son Chasca in 1988.
Cisco was able to share his deep love for traveling with both of his children, taking Rita along throughout Central America as a toddler and Chasca to Brazil as a young boy.
During his life Cisco continued to travel extensively through Mexico, as well as Central and South America-periodically returning home to his octagon home he built deep in the valley.
It was here that he would ride his horses through the woods, take saunas with friends, play his flute, go fishing and celebrate the land on which he made his home.
No matter how far Cisco traveled from home, he never ceased to stay connected to his large family spread across the valley beyond.
Cisco met the woman who would become his soul mate and wife at a party at his farm. Kilsa, who was an exchange student from Brazil, stayed in touch with Cisco for many years via letters and visits to Brazil.
On February 20, 1999, Cisco and Kilsa were joined in marriage in Coxim, Brazil and the celebration lasted three days.
Kilsa returned to America with Cisco and the pair continued to work and play on their farm and the mighty Wisconsin River for the past 19 years.
Always the life of the party, he loved to celebrate all of the joys in life with music, wine and friends both old and new.
In his later years, Cisco was perhaps most happy sitting by the fire playing his flute, spending Sundays with his son Chasca, or simply laying in his hammock listening to the ‘Simply Folk’ radio hour.
Cisco was blessed with three grandchildren, Thatcher Dremsa, Parker and Noah Waldner-all of whom he cherished dearly.
Douglas Cisco Dremsa’s life came to an end on the morning of March 27, 2018 at his home in rural Boscobel.
His deep knowledge of nature, kind heart, and festive spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved him dearly.
He is survived by his wife Kilsa Baganha of Boscobel, his daughter Rita (Keith) Waldner of Arcadia, Wisconsin, son Chasca (Emily) Dremsa of Gays Mills, his grandchildren Thatcher Dremsa and Noah and Parker Waldner. Siblings Donald (Norma) Dremsa of Arundel Maine, Rosemary (Dale) Hall of Steuben, Peggy (Stan) Updike of Boscobel, Theresa (Bob) Brewer of Boscobel, Joe (Shelly) Dremsa of Boscobel, Lori (Gary) Hines of Boscobel, David (Tammy) Dremsa of Waukesha, Danny Dremsa of Gays Mils, Cathy (John) Sherman of Birmingham Alabama, Mike (Cheri) Dremsa of Boscobel, Mary (Paul) Muenzenberger of Holmen, as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Freddy Dremsa, niece Darci Hall, and great-nephew Jaden Dremsa, as well as his stepfather Matt Pettera.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 2, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Boscobel. Father Christopher Padilla officiating. Friends may call on Monday April 2, 2018 from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Boscobel.
A celebration of life gathering at the farm will be announced at a later date.
The Kendall Funeral Service in Boscobel is assisting the family. Online condolences can be sent to www.kendallfuneralservice.com.
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