Fourth Generation

38. Robert William KORTBEIN was born on 1 October 1924 in Norwalk, Monroe County, WI.^{22,28,34,70,99} (According to the church baptism records, he was born in Wilton Township.) He was baptized on 26 October 1924 in Monroe County, WI.⁹⁹ He appeared in the census in 1930 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁴ Robert graduated in 1942 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁸ from Tomah High School. He died on 23 June 2004 at the age of 79 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁸

Obituary Notes: "Robert W. Kortbein, 79, of Ridgeville, passed away on Wednesday, June 23, 2004, on his farm in the town of Ridgeville. He was born on Oct. 1, 1924, to William and Elvira (Ludeking) Kortbein in Norwalk, WI. In 1933, his family moved to Ridgeville, where his parents purchased a farm. He was a 1942 graduate of Tomah High School. In addition to farming, he raked cranberries for Habelman Brothers for eight years. In 1950, they added 80 acres to the family farm. On Aug. 1, 1959, he was united in marriage to Charlene Schroeder at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. In 1967, they added 120 acres, totaling 320 acres to the family farm. He also sold seed corn and alfalfa seed for almost 25 years. Robert will be remembered for his hard work and determination; he even won a battle with cancer that started in 1998. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene of Ridgeville; a son, Greg Kortbein of Ridgeville; a daughter, Cynthia (Dr. Rick) Erdman of Tomah; grandchildren Jack and Eric Erdman; a brother, Donald (Evelyn) Kortbein of Warrens; a niece, Suzanne Kortbein of Warrens; a nephew, Timothy (Joan) Kortbein of Warrens; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elvira; a brother, Herbert; an infant daughter and an infant niece.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 29, at 11 a.m. at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ridgeville. Pastor Mark Panning will officiate. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Monday from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements."

He was buried on 29 June 2004 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁸ in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Robert William KORTBEIN and Charlene SCHROEDER were married on 1 September 1959.^28,100 Charlene SCHROEDER, daughter of Emil SCHROEDER and Clara WEBB, was born on 14 December 1933 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.^70,101 She died on 14 November 2012 at the age of 78 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁰¹

Obituary Notes: "Charlene R. Kortbein, 78, of Tomah passed away Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, at Tomah Memorial Hospital.

She was born Dec. 14, 1933, to Emil and Clara (Webb) Schroeder in Sparta. Charlene was raised in Kendall and was a 1951 graduate of Wilton High School.

Charlene took census for several years and worked at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Kendall from 1955 to 1962. She was united in marriage to Robert Kortbein on Aug. 1, 1959, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Together, they farmed on Ridgeville for their entire lives. Charlene was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Ridgeville. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and a dear friend.

She is survived by her children, Gregory Kortbein of Ridgeville and Cynthia (Rick) Erdman of Tomah; grandchildren, Jack and Eric Erdman.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; an infant daughter; and an infant niece.

Funeral services will be held today at 1 p.m. at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ridgeville. Burial will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Visitation was Sunday at Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation today from noon until the time of services at the church.

Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be given to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ridgeville, Wis., or to the Serenity House in Tomah."

Robert William KORTBEIN and Charlene SCHROEDER had the following children: