Surnames: Rex, Ault, Justman, Kuester, Neitzel, Blasel

----Sources: Scrap book one: by Elsa Lange Hardrath & Dorthaleen Edwards Hardrath

Contributed by Halbert "Bud" Hardrath

Rex, Reuben W. (3 Jan. 1901 - 26 July 1996)

Medford - Reuben W. Rex, 95, formerly of Riplinger, died Friday, July 26, 1996, at Stonecroft Manor in Medford at 3:42 a.m. Funeral services will be Monday, July 29, 1996, at 1:30 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church Riplinger. Burial will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, town of Unity, Clark County, Wis. The Rev. David Ault will officiate. Visitation will be Sunday, July 28, 1996, after 4 p.m. at Community Funeral Home, Colby, and again Monday at the church from 12:30 p.m. until service time.

Reuben was born Jan. 3, 1901, in the town of Herman, east of Iron Bridge in Dodge County, to Ferdinand and Pauline (Justman) Rex. He moved to the Hustisford, Wis. area and attended school at Bethany Parochial School and was a member of the choir. He farmed with his parents until Oct. 1, 1922, when he moved with them to the town of Unity, Section 10, Clark County, and farmed there until 1964, when he moved to Riplinger. Reuben married Olga Kuester May 27, 1926, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Riplinger. He served as secretary and treasurer of the Unity and Southwestern Telephone Company, a member of the Maplewood School Board and the Unity Election Board for 30 years. Reuben was the Unity Landfill Custodian for 16 years and the Unity Township Centennial Historian. He also took part in 12 centennial parades in the neighboring townships and villages. He held all offices in St. John’s Lutheran Church and translated the German History for their 75th Anniversary. Reuben was a charter member of the Colby Senior Citizens, which started in 1968. He as an Area Foreman for the Green Thumb Program in both Clark and Marathon counties for two years. Reuben was a Charter Member of the Clark County Deutscher Club, an ardent accordion player and singer, having translated "How Great Thou Art" into German for the Club.

Reuben is survived by his wife Olga of Medford with whom he celebrated 70 years of marriage two months ago; one son, Orville Rex of Brookfield; two daughters, Marcella Neitzel of Milwaukee and Betty Blasel of Medford; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister. Memorials may be given and the family will designate them at a later date.