John R. "Jack" Ubel

John (Jack) Reginald Ubel departed exactly as he wished, at home in bed with his beloved dog Charlie. He dressed, went dining with friends, was active and engaged to his last day. He lived 98 healthy years and managed his own life and affairs until the very end.
Although born in St. Paul, Jack was a child of Knapp. His father, John Ubel, was killed in a streetcar accident when he was 5 months old necessitating his mother, Ruth Nida Blanford to move to Chicago for work leaving him with her Aunt Xerpha Peck and Uncle Holland in Knapp. His Mother sent money to support him but after a few years Aunt Xerpha needed the help. Jack had become a child of this small town, and his character of responsibility was established. Xerpha was crippled from arthritis and had lost her husband and only son, so Jack began taking care of her.
Busy hands and learning were evident in his childhood. He built a club house, a motor derby car and requested a chemistry set for Xmas. In adulthood he built grandfather clocks, made surf boards, learned welding and fiber glassing, restored boats and built electronics. His hands were always busy.
Jack married the "most beautiful girl he had ever seen", Mary Lehr. A girl he noticed in high school and told his friends, "that is the girl I am going to marry!" and he did and they celebrated 67 years together. First daughter, Heidi, was born when Jack was 19, married and working in Iowa for the army. They had just had a newborn and Mary got the mumps, so he cared for a new baby and sick wife. A second daughter, Dina, completed the family.
Jack was a "Jack of all Trades". After a condensed year of study at Dunwoody Institute we worked as an armament calibration instrument specialist for the army. After the war they returned to Knapp and he worked as an engine watchmen, shoveling coal and keeping the locomotive engine ready for steam in the morning. Next came a restaurant and working with Frances Bosley installing gas burners in commercial businesses such as creameries and canning factories. They travelled throughout the Midwest and Dad recalled leaving a motel even though there was a blizzard because the bedbugs were so bad. They would rather risk the snowstorm. Next, he and Jim Purvis opened a hardware store in Knapp. During these years he earned both his Master Electrician and Master Plumber
certifications. He was licensed to test water and also became a Professional Engineer without attending college! He said," I was good at taking tests". He co- owned Woodward Electric and did electrical contracting though out the area. Not busy enough he developed Hill Terrace Mobile Home Park in Knapp and consulted for Cedar Corporation. His final position was director of the Water and Sewer Utility for the city of Menomonie.
Jack was engaged in many civic organizations including Lions and Rotary. He was Mayor of Knapp and "made many folks mad" when he developed the pond. He also was responsible for the installation of sewage and water utilities in the village of Knapp. He served 10 years on the Menomonie Board of Education and with Clarence Werner encouraged the district to buy the property which is now the school forest. He served on the Dunn County Board.
Leisure life was equally full and fulling. Jack and Mary were members of a snowmobile club, dance club, boat and ski club, RV club and citizen band radio club! He earned his scuba diving certification and was in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxillary and U.S. Power Squadron, teaching for them. Travelling and keeping in touch with lifelong friends was very important too. At 98 he was still a "techie" with 2 computers, Alexa, Ring Doorbells, blue tooth hearing aids and a smart watch.
Jack was Jack. He seemed gruff and outspoken but he was tender-hearted. He enjoyed friendly arguments, maintained his opinion yet felt no animosity to the other side. He hosted his twice a week coffee group in his home with friends who were from all walks of life. Robust conversations! Barely a day passed that a friend or neighbor didn't stop to visit. His door was always open making his friends and neighbors feel welcome.
Jack is survived by his two daughters: Heidi Baruch of Boulder, CO and Dina (Lee) VandeBerg of Madison, WI; 5 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Jack was truly blessed to be loved by many.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Dunn County Humane Society or "Bob's House For Dogs", a nonprofit shelter in Eau Claire.
Thank you Knapp and all of his devoted friends. A special thanks to Vince Hague for years of steadfast devotion and friendship. Jack Ubel had a full and remarkable blessed life. He always said, "I've" lived at the best time and in the best place". He died content and at peace, just as he wanted.
Please come and celebrate his life on Saturday, December 9th, 11:00-3:00 p.m. at the Knapp Hall in Knapp, WI. We welcome remembrances from his friends and family starting at 1:00 p.m.