(1)    Patron directors. If a vacancy occurs in the office of a director who was elected solely by the patron members, as provided in the articles or bylaws, or a new office of director is created for such a director, the board, in consultation with the other directors elected solely by the patron members, as provided in the articles or bylaws, shall appoint a patron member of the cooperative to temporarily fill the vacancy until a successor is elected at the next regular or special members’ meeting. An appointment under this subsection shall be by majority vote of the remaining directors, regardless of whether there is a quorum present. If there are no other directors elected solely by the patron members, as provided in the articles or bylaws, at the time of the vacancy, the office shall remain vacant and a special patron members’ meeting shall be called to elect a successor.

   (2)   Nonpatron directors. Unless otherwise provided in the articles or bylaws, if a vacancy occurs in the office of any director other than a director described in sub. (1) or if a new office of director is created other than a new office described in sub. (1), the board shall appoint a director to temporarily fill the vacancy by majority vote of the remaining directors, regardless of whether there is a quorum present. A successor shall be elected at the next regular or special members’ meeting.

   (3)   Term of successor. Any successor elected under this section is elected for the remainder of the unexpired term of the director whose vacancy the successor was elected to fill.