Robert "Bob" Hirsbrunner, 98, passed away at his beloved farm in Wiota Township surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, December 9, 2012. Bob was born July 12, 1914 at home in rural Rodin, Illinois, the first of 14 children born to Fred and Elsie (Wyss) Hirsbrunner.
Shortly after his birth his father gave up cheese making, and the family moved by horse and wagon back to Lafayette County where they began farming. Bob completed grade school at Ames Branch and Ullius rural schools and attended Darlington High School. He worked as a young man for various farmers in Illinois and the Darlington area for several years and then met and courted Arlene Hexom/Carpenter whom he married on February 12, 1941 at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Darlington.
Together the newlyweds began farming on their own with 8 cows, a team of horses and a walking plow. For several years they farmed in the Darlington, Fayette and Lamont areas before purchasing their current farm in Wiota Township where they have resided for the past 55 years.
Bob was a lifetime member of Immanuel United Church of Christ and was the oldest member until his death. He was always very proud of the fact that his grandfather was a charter member of the church and also of his Swiss heritage.
In Bob's lifetime he served as a school board member of the Paper School near Darlington and served several terms on the Wiota Town board, was a member of the Farm Bureau and a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at various times. He was a big-time Packer and Badger fan and enjoyed listening to Darlington High School sports on the radio. In his younger days he loved to kick up his heels at Turner Hall and other dance halls in the area and would often dance till the wee hours and then go back to the farm for early morning milking. He also greatly enjoyed playing Euchre and kept records of games won and lost for several years. Bob also managed to keep all the farm machinery up and running and had a way with all things mechanical.
Bob was very hard working all of his life, and as a youth and young man he survived several lif- threatening accidents and illnesses. He had a very strong will to live and that strength carried him through to the end. He also had a quick wit and a dry sense of humor. He was also concerned for the welfare of others and disliked seeing suffering and hardship for other people and was always ready to lend a hand whenever and wherever needed.
Bob is survived by his wife of 71 years, Arlene; two children: Richard (Nancy) Hirsbrunner, Richland Center and Donna Bahler (Alan Gibbs of Rockford, IL), Monroe; three grandchildren: Richard Hirsbrunner, Richland Center; Robert (Suzanne) Hirsbrunner, Lancaster; and Dustin (Jaime) Hirsbrunner, Austin, TX; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by four sisters: Wanda Jacobson, Darlington; Rosemary Edwards, Dodgeville; Marian Swenson, Hollandale; and Shirley Von Glahn, Belmont; two sisters-in-law: Rosie Hirsbrunner, Osseo; and Leta Hirsbrunner, Darlington; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Viola Steger, Ruth Ruf, and Lois Gierens; four brothers: Paul, Fritz, Edwin and Art; as well as two sisters that died in infancy: Minnie Leona and Mary Louise; one sister-in-law: Pat Hirsbrunner; and eight brothers-in-law: Russell Jacobson, Bob Edwards, Harlend Swenson, Charles Von Glahn, Rudy Steger, Frank Ruf, Harold Staver and Fred Gierens.
Bob's family would like to express their deep gratitude to family members, friends, and neighbors and four extraordinary care givers who have all provided so much support. We also would like to thank the doctors and staff at Family Health and Monroe Clinic Hospice and Rev. Dr. Connie Peake.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 15, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 339 Louisa St., Darlington, WI with Rev. Dr. Connie Peake officiating. Burial will be at the Union Grove Cemetery in Darlington. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. A memorial fund has been established in Bob's name.
Shortly after his birth his father gave up cheese making, and the family moved by horse and wagon back to Lafayette County where they began farming. Bob completed grade school at Ames Branch and Ullius rural schools and attended Darlington High School. He worked as a young man for various farmers in Illinois and the Darlington area for several years and then met and courted Arlene Hexom/Carpenter whom he married on February 12, 1941 at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Darlington.
Together the newlyweds began farming on their own with 8 cows, a team of horses and a walking plow. For several years they farmed in the Darlington, Fayette and Lamont areas before purchasing their current farm in Wiota Township where they have resided for the past 55 years.
Bob was a lifetime member of Immanuel United Church of Christ and was the oldest member until his death. He was always very proud of the fact that his grandfather was a charter member of the church and also of his Swiss heritage.
In Bob's lifetime he served as a school board member of the Paper School near Darlington and served several terms on the Wiota Town board, was a member of the Farm Bureau and a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at various times. He was a big-time Packer and Badger fan and enjoyed listening to Darlington High School sports on the radio. In his younger days he loved to kick up his heels at Turner Hall and other dance halls in the area and would often dance till the wee hours and then go back to the farm for early morning milking. He also greatly enjoyed playing Euchre and kept records of games won and lost for several years. Bob also managed to keep all the farm machinery up and running and had a way with all things mechanical.
Bob was very hard working all of his life, and as a youth and young man he survived several lif- threatening accidents and illnesses. He had a very strong will to live and that strength carried him through to the end. He also had a quick wit and a dry sense of humor. He was also concerned for the welfare of others and disliked seeing suffering and hardship for other people and was always ready to lend a hand whenever and wherever needed.
Bob is survived by his wife of 71 years, Arlene; two children: Richard (Nancy) Hirsbrunner, Richland Center and Donna Bahler (Alan Gibbs of Rockford, IL), Monroe; three grandchildren: Richard Hirsbrunner, Richland Center; Robert (Suzanne) Hirsbrunner, Lancaster; and Dustin (Jaime) Hirsbrunner, Austin, TX; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by four sisters: Wanda Jacobson, Darlington; Rosemary Edwards, Dodgeville; Marian Swenson, Hollandale; and Shirley Von Glahn, Belmont; two sisters-in-law: Rosie Hirsbrunner, Osseo; and Leta Hirsbrunner, Darlington; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Viola Steger, Ruth Ruf, and Lois Gierens; four brothers: Paul, Fritz, Edwin and Art; as well as two sisters that died in infancy: Minnie Leona and Mary Louise; one sister-in-law: Pat Hirsbrunner; and eight brothers-in-law: Russell Jacobson, Bob Edwards, Harlend Swenson, Charles Von Glahn, Rudy Steger, Frank Ruf, Harold Staver and Fred Gierens.
Bob's family would like to express their deep gratitude to family members, friends, and neighbors and four extraordinary care givers who have all provided so much support. We also would like to thank the doctors and staff at Family Health and Monroe Clinic Hospice and Rev. Dr. Connie Peake.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 15, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 339 Louisa St., Darlington, WI with Rev. Dr. Connie Peake officiating. Burial will be at the Union Grove Cemetery in Darlington. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. A memorial fund has been established in Bob's name.