Obituary: Winfield “Winnie” R. Hackbarth

by Jim Dittmann
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Winfield “Winnie” R. Hackbarth, age 89 of Beaver Dam, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, May 1, 2015 at Hillside Manor in Beaver Dam.

Winnie was born on March 28, 1926 in Ripon, WI, the son of Charles and Viola (Wild) Hackbarth. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, serving overseas as a Corporal during World War II. On December 9, 1945, he was united in marriage to Alice Montgomery in Louisiana. Together they owned and operated Winnie & Alice’s Hideaway in Beaver Dam. Winnie worked at Kirsh Foundry in Beaver Dam, retiring as a foreman after 41 years. He also drove bus locally for over 20 years. He was a member of the John E. Miller American Legion Post 146, VFW Post 1163, St. Katharine Drexel Parish and served as Past-President of the Eagles Club.

Winnie was a kind-hearted, generous soul, who never hesitated to put others ahead of himself. He loved all of his grandchildren dearly and enjoyed the frequent visitors who would stop by whenever he was spotted out in his garage. He looked forward to camping trips in his earlier years and deer hunting with the boys and the Montgomery family. He also enjoyed traveling to Texas many times over the years.

Winnie is survived by his wife, Alice of Beaver Dam; his children, Jim (Dorothy) Hackbarth of Waupun, Rita (Gary) Rose of North Fond du Lac, Louise (Bill) Vossekuil of Beaver Dam, Sharon (Chuck) Gove of Fox Lake and Brenda (Roger) Priddy of Texas; his grandchildren, Mark Hackbarth, Tina Kenevan, Kevin (fiancée Deana Price) Hackbarth, Nicole (Jamie) Simpson, Matthew S. Hammer, Eric (Ruthi) Vossekuil, Heather (Nathan) Eggers, Jennifer (Kevin) Merrill, Zachary Gove, Hannah Gove, Mara (Taylor) Ustynik and Kyle Slinger; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Colin, Ella, Greyson Kenevan, Bella Bassuener, Tyler Zabel, MaKayla and Isabelle Bittner, Brittany Vossekuil, Katelyn Marquardt, Dakota and Brayden Eggers, Alyssa, Landyn and Logan Merrill and one more great-grandchild on the way; one great-great-grandchild, Kamryn Ritchie; his brother, Chuck (Connie) Hackbarth of Beaver Dam; his sister, Shirley (Martin) Deuhring of California and further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Vera and other relatives.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 511 S. Spring St., Beaver Dam with Fr. Mike Erwin as celebrant. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Beaver Dam with graveside military honors provided by the John E. Miller American Legion Post 146. A luncheon will follow back at Mission Hall.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd., Beaver Dam. The legion members are invited for a walk through at 5:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held at church on Wednesday prior to the Mass, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Memorials in Winnie’s name may be directed to the St. Katharine Drexel School Endowment Fund.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Michelle and her staff at Eagle’s Wings for their loving care they provided to Winnie.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd., Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family. You may send private online condolences or sign the family’s guest book at www.cstonefs.com 

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