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George E. Hackbarth
George E. Hackbarth, 94, of Watertown, passed away on November 28, 2021, at The View in Johnson Creek, WI, where he resided since February of 2021.
George’s wife, Marilyn passed away on December 31, 2020. Due to the family’s Covid exposure, a memorial service was delayed.
A joint funeral service will be held on
Saturday, December 4 at 11:00 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. Karl
Walther officiating. George’s burial will take place at Lutheran Cemetery in
Watertown with military honors. Relatives and friends may pay their respects at
the church one hour before the service. The family requests that attendees at
the service please wear masks. Hafemeister Funeral
Home and Cremation Service of Watertown is serving the family.
George was born on October 25, 1927, in
Watertown, the son of Richard and Alvina (nee Korth) Hackbarth. He attended St. Mark’s Lutheran Grade School and
was a 1945 graduate of Northwestern Preparatory School. He continued his
education at Northwestern College, Watertown and at Whitewater College,
Whitewater, WI. On August 6, 1949, he married the former Marilyn E. Manthey at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Watertown.
George served in the U.S. Navy during WWII,
stationed in Washington, D.C. in the Bureau of Naval Personnel. In 1948, he
began employment with the Dept. of the Army as a civilian employee with the
National Guard Technician Program at the Watertown Armory. From October 1961 to
August 1962, he served Active Duty with the 32d Inf Div
at Fort Lewis, WA, during the Berlin Crisis. In 1966, he accepted a sales
position with Keck Furniture in Watertown. In 1968, he returned to the Dept. of
the Army in Madison, WI as a member of HQ State Area Command (STARC), Wisconsin
Army National Guard. He was a Personnel Management Specialist in the Office of
the Adjutant General. He retired from the Guard in 1985, as a
Sergeant Major. With over 34 years of government service,
George was recognized for his outstanding performance and received the Army
Meritorious Service Medal.
George was a member
of the Wethonkitha Club and American Legion Post 189.
He was an avid sports enthusiast. He played football, basketball, and baseball
during high school and college. Later, he played softball with the Weber Beer
team. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He also
liked bird watching and made sure they were well fed! George was a loving and
devoted husband, father and grandfather; a faithful
Christian; and an active member and past president of St. Mark’s Lutheran
Church.
Survivors include
his three children, Marcia (Jim) Stueber of West St.
Paul, MN, Randy (Kim) Hackbarth of Madison, WI, Paula
(Steve) Schmeling of Robbinsdale, MN; 10 grandchildren and 19
great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Ramona Hackbarth, as well as nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in
death by his wife of 71 years Marilyn, his parents, siblings Alfred, Grace
(Matt) Biljan, Victor (Ruth), Oscar (Margaret), and
Rudy, and in-laws Cathie and Don King.
Memorials are suggested
to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Rainbow Hospice, or to the charity of one’s
choice.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to The View and Rainbow Hospice for their loving care.
History of Watertown, Wisconsin