Ronald R. Rabe

Ronald R. Rabe

Ronald R. Rabe, age 77, of rural Kiel, died Tuesday morning April 28, 2015 at Holy Family Memorial Hospital, Manitowoc.

Ron was born on February 14, 1938 to the late Alvin and Helen (Vogel) Rabe in Kiel. He attended Fountain Park and Kiel Schools. Ron enlisted in the the Army Reserves after school. On June 11, 1960 he married the former Kathleen Koenigs in Marytown.

He was known to many for his years of being a bus driver with the Kiel School District. Ron and Kathy also farmed together for many years.

He was an active member at St. Peter U.C.C. where he sang in the church choir, ushered and was a member of the consistory at church. Ron was also a member of the antique tractor club and took Night Farming Classes with Kelly Kraemer. Ron enjoyed spending time working on his tractors & attending tractor shows, listening to polkas on the radio, watching game shows and the Packers on TV. His true enjoyment was traveling to visit his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years: Kathy; five children: Laurie (Roger) Peters, Terrance (Christine) Rabe, Jeff Rabe, Amy Riesterer and Rev. Sara Rabe (Amy Elvekrog) his extended family; Mary Olm, 11 grandchildren: Jessica Montambo, Jamie Peters, Trista Nienhaus, Alexis Rabe, Lindsay Rabe, Dakota Rabe, Benjamin Riesterer, Andrew Riesterer, Meredith Thiessen, Alexander Thiessen and Samuel Thiessen; 8 great grandchildren: Kolton, Barrett, Skylar, Owen, Lauren, April, Dylan and Isabelle; two brothers: Everett Rabe and Alvin Jr. (Helen) Rabe. Ron is further survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Edith Schneider, Eugene Blatz, Anthony (Loretta) Koenigs, Ann Koenigs, Mary Ann (Lawrence) Sinclair, Cecelia (Robert) St. Lawrence, Grace (Larry) Hanke, Christine (Ronald) Schwanke, Matthew (Nancy) Koenigs, Patrick (Karen) Koenigs, Daniel (Donna) Koenigs, Helene (Frederick) Parise, Laurence (Jean) Koenigs along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ron was preceded in death by a daughter: Lisa Marie, his parents: Alvin & Helen Rabe; step mother; Ruby Rabe, a brother; Kenneth Rabe, a sister; Jeannette Blatz, sisters-in-law; Delores Rabe, Rosalie and Phyllis Koenigs, brother-in-law; Nicholas Koenigs, mother-in-law and father-in-law; Hugo (Ann) Koenigs.

Funeral Services for Ron will be held on Friday May 1, 2015 at 11:00am at St. Peter U.C.C. (424 Fremont Street), Kiel. Officiating at the service will be close family friends; Rev. Eldonna Hazen and Rev. Bill Wineke. Burial to follow at Town Schleswig Cemetery, Rockville.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday April 30, 2015 from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at the Meiselwitz-Vollstedt Funeral Home (815 6th Street), Kiel. The visitation will continue on Friday at the church from 9:00am until the time of service at 11:00am.

Ron's family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the Valders Ambulance Service along with the doctors and nurses at Holy Family Medical Center, Manitowoc for all the comfort and compassion you gave to Ron and his family.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in his name.

Online condolences at www.meiselwitzfh.com