Rueben Kolpack

Rueben Kolpack, age 104, passed away peacefully on Sunday July 13, 2025. Rueben was born on March 19, 1921 to the late Alex and Elsa (Reimer) Kolpack in the Town of Polar. On May 24, 1947 Rueben was united in marriage to Lucille Rasch, a marriage that would last for 76 years and leave a legacy of love for family and faith.

Rueben served in the United States Army during WWII from 1942-1945 in the 2nd Armored Division as a P-5 Corporal in North Africa, England, Germany, France in the invasion of Normandy, Hedgerow where he was injured and Belgium Bulge. He was a forward observer and worked in coding and deciphering. His service earned him the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, Presidential Citation, 6 Major Silver Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Sharpshooter Medal, Machine Gunner Medal, Medal of Victory, and the Fourragére, unit recognition award from the Belgian government. The 2nd armored division was the first to arrive at Berlin, where they served as Honor Guard for the Potsdam Conference. Upon returning after the war, Rueben logged land in the town of Polar and owned and operated a dairy farm, farming with Lucille for 40 years.

Rueben was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. He served on the church council, served as a trustee, was a member of the St. Peter’s Men’s Club and their choir, and the Antigo Men’s Choir. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, making maple syrup, gardening, his berry patches, woodworking, logging and polka music.

Survivors include 4 daughters: Diane (Dean) Borneman of Minocqua, Janet (Tim) Spurgeon of Antigo, Carolyn (Neil) Munsell of Dillon, MT, Laurale (Jerry) Strasser of Antigo, a son Jim (Stephanie) Kolpack of FL, a daughter-in-law Mary Kolpack of Polar, 2 sisters Maxine Baseley and Joanne Labbus, 13 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, Rueben was preceded in death by a son Allen Kolpack, 2 grandchildren Chad and Michael Munsell, and a great grandchild Cassie Borneman, his brothers: Norman (Margie), Milton (Gloria), Edwin (Lorraine), Lloyd (Arcelia), infant brother Alex, sisters: Lorraine (Archie) Wheeler, Doris (James) Norem, Renata (Hilbert) Lucht, and Adeline Edwin) Kelm, brothers-in-laws: Richard Labbus and John Baseley.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 21 at 11:00 AM at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the service at the church. Reverend Donald Engebretson will officiate. Interment will be in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Cemetery with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be directed to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.