Fifth Generation

263. Reuben Oscar ECKELBERG Jr. was born on 11 July 1940 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^50,160 He died on 9 July 2020 at the age of 79 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁶⁰

Obituary Notes: "Reuben O Eckelberg, 79, of Tomah, died Thursday, July 9, 2020 at the Serenity House.  He was born July 11, 1940 to Reuben E. and Celia (Miller) Eckelberg on the family farm in the Town of Wilton.  He grew up in the Wilton area until moving to Kenosha to work at American Motors. 

Reuben was united in marriage to Patricia Torgersen on July 18, 1964 in Mason, WI., together they moved back to Wilton in 1969, where he worked for the Village of Wilton and the Wilton Co-op.  They moved to Tomah where he started working for the Milwaukee Road Railroad.  He drove for Prochnow Farms, Band Box, Tomah Transit, and Lawrence until his retirement. He served on the Wilton Fire Department.   

Reuben was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing; he took fishing trips on Lake Superior for Lake Trout and Smelt, and Salmon Fishing, he especially loved trout fishing on the White River. He enjoyed smoking meats, and smoked just about everything he could catch, sharing the good and the not so good, he enjoyed fish fries and having a beer with friends, playing euchre, and country drives.  He had a story for just about country road.  Reuben had a great sense of humor and enjoyed playing tricks; he had a belly bouncing belly laugh that made everyone smile. 

Most important to him was his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  His grandchildren will always remember fishing trips with grandpa, fish fries and morning pancakes, euchre games, taking trips with grandpa on the road, and whisker rubs and cuddles after.  He will be sadly missed by all that knew and loved him.
 
He is survived by his wife Pat of almost 56 years, 4 children, Rhonda (Dean) Burch of Tomah, Jolene (John) Glynn of Tomah, Nancy Rice of Elroy, and Chip Eckelberg of Mason, 9 grandchildren,  Apryl Ravet of Mauston, Mike (Mary) Ravet of Tomah, Sean (Staci) Glynn of Camp Douglas, Desiree Glynn of LaCrosse, Cade (Misty) Ravet of Warrens, Tara Eckelberg of LaCrosse, Reid (Kat) Rice of Tomah, Jessica Rice of Tomah,, and Jayce Neuman of Elroy, 12 great-grandchildren, a brother Ray Eckelberg of Tomah, a sister, Ellen (Bill) Reneau of Tomah, a brother-in-law Duane “Stub” Harmel, 3 sisters-in-law, Barb Hanson of Ok, Joanne Eckelberg of West Salem, and Nancy Eskola of Kenosha,  many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son-in-law Barry Reynolds, a great-grandson Kyson Rice, 3 brothers, John Eckelberg, Eugene Eckelberg, and Jerry, sisters, Helen Harmel, and Catherine Eckelberg, 2 sisters-in-law, Joyce and  Patti Eckelberg, and a brother-in-law Bruce Eskola.
 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, 10:30 A.M. at Queen of the Apostle’s Parrish at St. Mary’s, 303 W Monroe St. Tomah.  Monsignor Gilles will officiate.  Burial will be in the church cemetery. 
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St. Tomah., and at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the service.  Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com Those in attendance are encouraged to use CDC recommended guidelines for Social Distance and Safety Measures."

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Reuben Oscar ECKELBERG Jr. and Florence "Pat" HANSON were married on 18 July 1964 in Mason, Bayfield County, WI.²²³ Florence "Pat" HANSON was born on 10 June 1944 in Mason, Bayfield County, WI.²²³ She died on 15 February 2021 at the age of 76 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.²²³
Obituary Notes: "Florence “Pat” Eckelberg, age 76, of Tomah, passed away on Monday, February 15, 2021 at Rolling Hills in Sparta, Wisconsin. She was born on June 10, 1944 and raised by Arthur and Anna Hanson in Mason, Wisconsin. She was united in marriage to Reuben Eckelberg on July 18, 1964 in Mason, WI. He preceded her in death in July 2020.

Pat worked as a daycare provider in Tomah and Wilton and as a babysitter to many family and friends. Pat had the biggest heart of green & gold and was willing to help at the drop of a hat. She loved playing games, from Scrabble to pool, and enjoyed cooking. She was funny, quick witted, and always had a joke, or a pun, to tell. Pat found great joy in her role as a grandma, and great grandma. She loved her family deeply and was very protective of them. Her beautiful spirit and charismatic personality will be missed by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and siblings.

She is survived by her 4 children, Rhonda (Dean) Burch of Tomah, Jolene (John) Glynn of Tomah, Nancy Rice of Elroy, and Chip Eckelberg of Mason; 9 grandchildren, Apryl Ravet of Mauston, Mike (Mary) Ravet of Tomah, Sean (Staci) Glynn of Camp Douglas, Desiree Glynn of LaCrosse, Cade (Misty) Ravet of Warrens, Tara Eckelberg of LaCrosse, Reid (Kat) Rice of Tomah, Jessica Rice of Tomah, and Jayce Newman of Elroy; 12 great-grandchildren, and numerous siblings and other relatives.

She is reunited in heaven with her husband, Reuben; great grandson, Kyson Rice; sister, Nancy Eskola, and niece, Lori Tappa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021, 11:00 a.m., at Queen of the Apostles Parish in Tomah. Monsignor David Kunz will officiate. Burial will be held at a later date at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Thursday, February 18, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah, with a rosary beginning at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Friday. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

“A special ‘Thank You’ to the staff at Rolling Hills and Liberty Village, especially Macey Shabatka, for your love and dedication to our mom and dad!”

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