Obit: Raebel, Richard Ernst (1932 - 2007)

Contact: Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Raebel, Bjerke, Attoe, Fisher, Counsell, Emling, Anason

----Sources: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) Thursday, October 11, 2007

Raebel, Richard Ernst (7 Feb. 1932 - 10 Oct. 2007)

Richard E. Raebel

NEILLSVILLE -- Richard Raebel, 75, of Neillsville died Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, in the Intensive Care Unit of Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.

Funeral services for Richard will be at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12, 2007, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, Wis. The Rev. Douglas Bjerke will officiate. Music will be provided by Wendell and Kathy Attoe.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the Gesche Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery at 4:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, with military rites accorded by the Neillsville Veterans Council.

Richard Ernst Raebel was born Feb. 7, 1932, in Milwaukee, the son of Richard and Hilda (Fisher) Raebel. He graduated from Pulaski High School in 1950 and was awarded a scholarship to Marquette University, where he was the captain of the football team and in the ROTC program. After his graduation in 1955, he entered the U.S. Navy where he made the rank of lieutenant junior grade. He served from Feb. 12, 1955, until his honorable discharge April 11, 1957. He was united in marriage to Joan Counsell on July 10, 1965, in Milwaukee. They lived in the Milwaukee area, raising their family until 1969 when they moved to Neillsville and began raising veal calves. They retired in 1995.

During the years, Richard enjoyed cooking for his family and friends, watching sports, the news and all the wildlife on their property. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by three children, Jay Emling and Kay (Larry) Anason of Neillsville and Dirk (Angie) Raebel of Bay City; eight grandchildren, Chad, Lucas, Alexis, Ryan (Jenny), Kayla, Jenny, Rebecca and Joey; two great-grandchildren, Noah and Isaiah; one brother, Robert (Carol) Raebel of Franklin; nieces and nephews; and a special friend of the family, Dorothy Counsell.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, and his parents.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Richard's family with funeral arrangements.