Fourth Generation

28. Robert LaFollette HABELMAN Sr. was born on 31 December 1917 in Greenfield Township, Monroe County, WI.^28,55,56,57 (According to the Birth Registration Index, his birth date was 30 Dec 1917.) He graduated in 1935 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵⁷ from Tomah High School. He died on 11 January 2020 at the age of 102 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵⁷

Obituary Notes: "Robert L. Habelman Sr., 102, of Tomah died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at his home. He was born to Edward and Anna (Lobe) Habelman Dec. 31, 1917, in the town of Greenfield. He graduated from the Tomah Senior High School in in 1935. He was united in marriage to Jean Hoag Aug. 4, 1939, at St. John Lutheran Church, in Charles City, Iowa. She preceded him in death Nov. 18, 2002.

He was an owner and operator of the Habelman Brother’s Cranberry Marsh. Robert was a pioneer in the Wisconsin Cranberry Industry. Alongside his family they developed the original 13-acre marsh into a corporation, with three locations and 700 producing acres.

He was a faithful member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, an active member of the Tomah Lion’s Club and served on the Oak Grove Cemetery Board for 60 years. He was an excellent bowler. Robert was affectionately known as “Pa,” and he loved to travel with his family and friends, and spent his winter’s in Marco Island, Fla.

He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Carolyn Habelman of Tomah; a nephew, Ray E. (Kris); two great-nephews, Jeff Habelman and Ray J. (Staci) Habelman all of Tomah; two great-nieces, Julie Habelman of La Crosse and Holly (Rick) Carlson of Tomah; as well as many great-great-nephews and nieces.

In addition to his wife, Jean, he was preceded in death by a son, Robert L. Jr., and an infant son, Arthur John; his parents; four brothers, Kenneth, Claire, Lloyd and Raymond; two sisters, Eileen (Ray) Gottbeheut and Gladys (Stacy) Van Petten; and several nieces and nephews.

Private family funeral services were held. Pastor Curt S. Backhaus officiated. There will be a celebration of Robert’s life that will be announced in the spring."

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Robert LaFollette HABELMAN Sr. and Kathryn Jean HOAG were married on 4 August 1939 in Charles City, Floyd County, IA.^55,56,57,58 Kathryn Jean HOAG⁵⁹, daughter of Llewellyn Philip HOAG and Lela Kathryn BONGERS, was born on 16 February 1918 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^{28,41,55,56,60} She graduated in 1936 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴¹ from Tomah High School. She died on 18 November 2002 at the age of 84 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴¹ Kathryn was buried on 22 November 2002 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴¹ in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Robert LaFollette HABELMAN Sr. and Kathryn Jean HOAG had the following children: