Harold I. "Hal" Kabat

Harold I. Kabat (Hal), age 83, of Oshkosh, WI died peacefully July 24, 2016 at home after fighting his 7 year battle against cancer, surrounded by family, friends, baseball, and his faith close to his heart with a positive attitude and outlook on life that fell nothing short of admirable, honorable, and respectable, and often times humorous.

He was born October 28th, 1932 in the small town of Reedsville,WI where he spent the majority of his years before moving to Brillion WI. He spent his first few years of retirement on-the-go with his Wife Jean as 'snow birds' in Sun City, Arizona where they shared their biggest commonality as husband and wife--caring about people with their giving hearts, and loving and taking care of each other. Eventually they settled down in Oshkosh, WI where they both could be closer to their Family. Attending the following schools St Mary's Grade School, Reedsville, Reedsville High School, Reedsville, WI and St. Norbert's College in DePere, WI where he would obtain a Bachelor Degree in Economics. He then went on to serve his country in the US Army - West Point (1953-1955).

A true Entrepreneur through and through and never scared to take a chance, he started, owned, and operated many different businesses including a shoe store and grocery store to help provide the community the convenience of certain goods and services that were lacking. One of his biggest accomplishments was owning and operating Kabat's Country Gardens for 13 years, a successful supper club in the Reedsville area that hosted many large weddings. He then moved on and spent 24 years as an insurance agent for Key Insurance, fulfilling another need in the community where he focused on helping retirees with any insurance solution from Health to Home while building a business that still exists today, and that Harold is proud to say is now 3rd-generation with his Son David and Grandson's Adam and Philip involved. He also was an Honoree Life member of the Knights of Columbus and agent of the Catholic Knights under the Late Robert Fencel Agency. Harold also was elected President for the Village of Reedsville and ran for Assemblyman in Manitowoc County. He was treasurer for the St. Mary's School Reedsville for many years along with being a lector and usher for the Reedsville St. Mary's Church, he served four years on the Finance Committee for St. Mary's School Brillion, WI

Harold had many hobbies that he enjoyed mostly because of his desire and love for people which included bowling, golfing, baseball, fast pitch softball, playing in the college band, basketball, cards, and winning money on casino daytrips. He even found time to Coach Pee Wee and Babe Ruth Leagues when he had the chance. By far his greatest joy came from the simpler things in life- experiencing anything that his Grandkids were involved in, and watching his Cubbies and Yankees win, or any other baseball game on TV or in person.

Harold is preceded in death by his father and mother, Ignatius and Anna Kabat, first wife Bernice Hermann Kabat, 2nd wife Laverne Stelzer Smith Kabat, Father and Mother-in-law, Victor and Tillie Herrmann, Father and Mother-in-law Joseph and Anna Stelzer, Charles and Mary Rasmussen, Sister and Brother-in-law, Virginia and Peter Polster, Sister-in-laws, Angie Herrmann and Verna Herrmann, Brother-in-law James Rasmussen, Brother and Sister-in-laws, Charles and Doris Stelzer, Brother-in-law Jerry Nowak, Brother and Sister-in-law Ralph and Ruth Rasmussen, Brother-in-laws Henry Weinberger and Donald Eisenman,

Survived by his loving Wife Jean Rasmussen Valenta Kabat, Sister Margaret Winters (James), Son David Kabat (Lori) Brillion, Daughters Kay Dercks (Randy) Combined Locks, Debbie Dvorachek (Larry) Whitelaw, Bonnie Zeamer (Terry) Brillion, Michele Schaffer (Alan) Hilbert, Nancy Zvolena (Mike) Pittsville, Laura VandeVen (Joe) DePere, 16 Grandchildren: Adam Kabat, Florida, Philip Kabat, Florida, Lily Kabat, Brillion, Kelly Hungerford (Quentin), Kaukauna, Andy Dercks (Kristie Gruett), Kaukauna, Samantha Dercks (Paul Stoffel) Kaukauna, Trisha Wicinsky (Nick), Winneconne, Melissa Hanson (Brian) Oregon, Ryan Dvoracheck (Dale) Whitelaw, Jon (Anne) Zeamer, Sherwood, Michael (Julie) Zeamer, Madison, Matthew (Brooke) Zeamer, Neenah, Justin Zeamer (fiancé Jackie Behnke), Neenah, Alaina Schaffer, Hilbert, Austin Schaffer, Hilbert, Avery Schaffer, Hilbert. He also has 11 great grandchildren who loved him dearly. Brother-in-laws, Harlan, Myron, Victor and Eugene Herrmann, Leroy, Donald, and Joe Stelzer, Bob Schleih, Robert, Richard and Charles Rasmussen, Frankie Petroske and Jerome Korinek, Sisters-in-law Janet Siebers, Helen Herrmann, Kathleen Nowak, Karen, Judy, Jane Stelzer and Ann Schleih, Helen and Judy Rasmussen, Violet Weinberger, Jeanette Korinek, Darlene Eisenman, and Kathleen Petroske.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 29, 2016 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1100 W. Ryan Street, Brillion. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Timothy Brandt. Military Rites will be accorded by Bloedorn, Becker, Jensen Post 126 of Brillion. Burial will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery in Reedsville.

Friends may call at the church on Friday morning from 9:00 am until 10:30 a.m.

Online condolences may be made.

The family would like to thank the staffs at ThedaCare Hospice, Mercy Medical, and the Hematology center in Oshkosh for the care and compassion shown toward Dad during this time.